Details regarding the straightforward implementation of the software will be provided upon acceptance of both the paper and the software by a scientific journal (currently undergoing revision). The open-source LandScient_EWS program is available for access at: https://github.com/juliancms/landscient_ews

Description:

In numerous landslide-affected countries, the absence of a comprehensive Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) persists. The complexity of its development encompasses scientific and technological advancements alongside political decision-making processes. Recognizing the significance of integrating rainfall thresholds and other critical parameters, such as pore pressures, with real-time meteorological data within accessible software, we introduced the LandScient_EWS program. Utilizing PHP, this software facilitates the comparison of real-time measured data, such as rainfall, against predefined landslide thresholds. Through this platform, users can conduct calculations and visually depict landslide warning levels in real-time across various monitoring sites, including regional, basin, and hillside scales. To demonstrate its practical application, we conducted an illustrative case study in a region of Medellín, Colombia. Analyzing a rainfall event that induced a shallow landslide on August 26, 2008, we employed defined rainfall thresholds specific to the study site. This analysis enabled the simulation of alert levels during the recorded rainfall event, utilizing data from a rain gauge within a small basin and a single grid cell representing a distinct slope within the basin. The software’s capacity to incorporate rainfall thresholds into landslide early warning systems highlights its potential value in mitigating landslide risks.