Heavy rainfalls and extensive landslides occurred in Basilicata (Southern Italy) in 1976

Abstract

In the past decades, major landslides have taken place after heavy and relentless rainfalls and caused severe damage to a number of urban centres and facilities. The unexpected plentiful rain fallen over the course of the year contributed to the severe hydrogeological crisis which struck Basilicata (Southern Italy) in 1976. Large floods and extensive deep-seated landslides were repeatedly reported in the area. For the purpose of this paper, some major landslides that occurred late in 1976 were selected. The extremely heavy precipitation fallen over the region throughout the year was measured by some rain-gauge stations. Precipitation records were compared to average rainfalls measured at the same location. For one of the landslides under examination, a statistical and hydrologic model was used in order to assess the recurrence interval of cumulative rainfalls of varying duration. The amount of precipitation in 1976 is particularly striking in terms of extent of the area covered and duration of heavy rainfall , both higher than average, and intensity of rainfall of a given duration.