Sub-watershed prioritization using MDCM techniques based on landslide susceptibility mapping in the Pindar river watershed

In the present study an integrated geospatial and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) based on framework for landslide susceptibility assessment and sub-watershed prioritization in the Pindar River watershed in uttarakhand. Landslide susceptibility mapping was carried out using eleven thematic layers representing topographic, hydrological, geological, climatic, vegetation, and anthropogenic factors, weighted through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and integrated using a weighted overlay approach. The watershed was delineated into 33 sub-watersheds, which were subsequently prioritized using three MCDM techniques TOPSIS, VIKOR, and PROMETHEE. The results reveal that sub-watersheds SW5, SW1, SW7, SW3, SW16, SW26, and SW30 consistently ranked as very high priority, indicating pronounced susceptibility due to steep slopes, high relative relief, intense rainfall, proximity to roads and streams, sparse vegetation, and fragile lithology. Conversely, SW32, SW20, SW11, SW15, and SW28 were identified as low-priority sub-watersheds, reflecting comparatively stable terrain conditions. Comparative evaluation using percentage change (ΔP) and intensity change (ΔI) metrics indicates that PROMETHEE outperformed TOPSIS and VIKOR, demonstrating higher sensitivity and superior discriminatory capability in differentiating sub-watershed vulnerability. Overall, the study confirms that PROMETHEE based prioritization, integrated with GIS, provides a robust decision-support tool for landslide risk mitigation and sustainable watershed management in the Himalayan region.