Investigation of the rainfall-induced landslides in Erdemli (Mersin) district

Natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods and landslides are generally the repetitive events in time, for the same region. Hence, the mitigation efforts against such hazards, to permanently eliminate or reduce the long-term risk to human life and property, could be sustainable by producing and applying the effective policies and practices. Mersin city has suffered from excessive rainfall in 1968, 2001 and 2006. The landslide and flooding events caused considerable economic loss and social disruption in the region. According to the data obtained from the Mersin meteorology station, the mean annual rainfall in 76-year period is about 600 mm. In November and December 1968 and December 2001 total recorded rainfall exceeded the mean annual rainfall. The landslide affected dwellings were recorded as 1277 by the 1968 event. In 2001, total landslide affected dwellings were recorded as 46. Beside the evacuation of many residences severely affected by landslides, several village settlements were moved to new areas. In this study, landslides occurred in Erdemli region and disaster mitigation efforts applied in the area were evaluated.