Abstract
This chapter reviews the state-of-the-art and current challenges concerning our understanding of the natural controls of landsliding in the Himalaya. Throughout the Himalaya, landslides occur predominantly during the monsoon season, which is approximately from June to late September. Several studies have produced comprehensive landslide inventories in parts of the Himalayan range, attempting to link monsoon-induced landslides to hydrometeorologic variables. The chapter explores the links between landsliding and societies in the Himalaya as well as potential for mitigation, in the context of global climate change. Mostly, landslides inflict damages in their immediate surrounding, destroying arable fields, infrastructure and buildings. There are numerous cases when landslides have triggered consecutive events with devastating effects tens of kilometers away from the landslide source. High-tech and costly methods of landslide mitigation are rarely implemented because of the prevailing low- and middle-income countries in the region.