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Research Paper | Geology | India | Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023

Rockfall at Siyar Baba Waterfall, Tehsil and District Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir (UT)

Raj Kumar ^[67] | J. S. Pawar

Abstract: The Siyar Baba Waterfall located in Reasi District of Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its beauty and tourist attraction. The occurrence of rockfall/ landslide on 15thJuly 2018 adjoining the waterfall caused casualty of more than 07 visitors which led to reduction in flow of tourists. Accordingly an attempt has been made to determine nature and structure of rocks, topography and drainage pattern in the area to ascertain the causes of rockfall/landslide and to work out preventive measures thereof. Geologically the area under study is a part of Reasi Inlier and comprises of rocks consisting mainly of cherty/non-cherty, grey to creamy white and pale to brown, dolomitic limestone bands belonging to Sirban/ Trikuta/ Reasi Limestone Formation of Proterozoic Age. The rocks in and around the waterfall are affected by numerous fractures and joints due to proximity of the area to Reasi Thrust (M.B.F). The general trend of the rocks in the area are NE - SW with dips inside the hills having angle of inclination from 210 to 570 due North and North-West. The present investigation reveals that the major factor involved in triggering rockfall in the area are mainly, nature and structure of rocks which are highly jointed and fractured, percolation of surface as well as rainwater in the joints and fractures, presence of minerals in the rocks having differential thermal expansion and toe cutting by falling water at the plunge pool and toe erosion by Siyar Nalla. To minimize the incidence of occurrence of landslide for the safeguard of the visiting tourists in the area some precautionary measures may be taken up like: construction of a concrete wall below the waterfall and along the bank of Siyar nalla adjoining the hill, by raising of a permanent railing about 25-30 meters in front of the waterfall, by constructing small check dams across the stream at the catchment area of the waterfall, gentle offloading of hanging mass, plugging of major crevices, rock bolting and raising of Rockfall Protection Structures (RPS).

Keywords: Siyar Baba, Waterfall, Himalaya, Rockfall, District, Reasi and Jammu & Kashmir

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023,

Pages: 1977 - 1984