Perception versus Preparedness: Unveiling the Gap and Its Significance for Landslide Risk Management in Nepal

Abstract

Landslides have an enormous impact on the livelihood of people in the Himalayan mountain region, and have led to thousands of deaths in Nepal alone. Understanding people’s perceptions is crucial for policy formulation in risk mitigation and preparedness, guiding policymakers in drafting the plans for disaster-prone areas. However, the perception of victims and those residing in disaster-prone areas in the Nepali mountains is underresearched. This study investigated the perceptions of past experience, future expectations, perceived threats, and the capability to face the situation using a mixed-methods approach. The empirical data were collected using structural questionnaire surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and field visits involving 535 participants in the Bahrabise Municipality in the Sindhupalchok District of Nepal. Our results indicate that the respondents are not prepared for future landslides and lack the capacity to face the impact of a landslide, despite the fact that most of them believe that a landslide is likely to occur and acknowledge that it poses a threat to their lives. The study also reveals a low level of preparedness adoption, contrasting with a high perception of landslide risks. Based on the results, this paper discusses the implications of these findings for landslide management and policy formulation.