Kunal Gupta

Hello! I'm Kunal Gupta, a Ph.D. research scholar at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore and a Prime Minister's Research Fellow in India, specializing in geotechnical engineering with a keen focus on landslide hazard assessment and Early Warning System (EWS) development in the Western Himalayas, specifically Uttarakhand.

Throughout my research journey, I've made substantial contributions to the regional and local-level development of Early Warning Systems. My work revolves around a profound understanding of seismic and landslide dynamics, strategically utilizing data from seismicity (1905-2023), landslide inventory (1999-2023), and diverse geotechnical and geospatial information. Harnessing this extensive dataset, I've meticulously crafted spatial layers crucial for Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA), Co-seismic Landslide Hazard Assessment (CLHA), and Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM).

A key highlight of my research is the successful completion of PSHA for Uttarakhand, revealing critical vulnerabilities, especially in the Chamoli district. This accomplishment serves as the foundation for subsequent work, including Co-seismic Landslide Hazard Assessment (CLHA) utilizing Newmark's approach, emphasizing high-susceptibility areas. Additionally, I've undertaken Machine Learning-based Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM) for the Chamoli district, site selection, UAV surveys, Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), Rainfall Threshold Estimation, and modelling Volumetric Water Content (VWC) and Pore Water Pressure (PWP) for EWS development.

To broaden my research horizons, I embarked on a three-month research stint at the University of Florence, Italy. During this period, I concentrated on developing soil thickness maps for the Joshimath region, employing a fusion of empirical and machine learning models. This experience, within a region renowned for pioneering work in landslide studies, significantly enhanced my understanding and enriched my perspective.

My research contributions have translated into impactful publications, with seven papers already published in reputable journals and an additional five under review. 

I am committed to making a positive impact on society through my research in geotechnical engineering and landslide hazard assessment, monitoring, and modelling. I believe that my work has the potential to save countless lives and prevent significant damage to infrastructure and property in high-risk areas. It is my privilege to be part of the exciting and important field of geotechnical engineering, and I look forward to continuing my research with the same passion and dedication.