The 5th International Symposium on Slope Risk and Resilience

Wet mass movement disasters, such as rainfall-induced landslides, debris flows, and mudflows, are among the most critical manifestations of slope instability worldwide. The ongoing climate change is altering rainfall intensity and variability, thereby increasing the susceptibility of slopes to failure in steep and geomorphologically sensitive regions. This study examines the global trends and socio-economic impacts of wet mass movement disasters over the period 1970-2024, with a focus on implications for slope risk and resilience. Using internationally reported disaster records and standard disaster classification criteria, long-term patterns in disaster occurrence, populations affected, and reported economic losses were analyzed. The results show a clear and consistent escalation in wet mass movement disasters over the study period, with trend analysis indicating an extremely significant increase in disaster frequency. Socio-economic impacts exhibit strong year-to-year variability but display an overall upward tendency, particularly in the number of people affected, reflecting increasing exposure of communities and infrastructure located on or near unstable slopes. Country-level assessment reveals pronounced spatial concentration, with the highest number of wet mass movement events recorded in China, Indonesia, India, Colombia, and Peru. These findings highlight the combined influence of hydro-climatic forcing, topography, and socio-economic vulnerability in shaping wet mass movement risk. Overall, the study demonstrates that wet mass movement disasters are becoming an increasingly important concern for slope engineering practice and underscores the need for climate-aware approaches to slope risk assessment, monitoring, and long-term resilience planning.
 

Wet mass movement,Rainfall-induced landslides,Slope instability,climate change,Socio-economic impacts