Abstract <p>Rainfall-induced shallow slope failures are mainly controlled by internal hydrological processes within the slope, in which bedrock topography plays a key role in water redistribution. However, previous studies on the influence of bedrock topography on water movement and slope stability have remained relatively insufficient. This study, by combining bedrock topography with variably saturated numerical simulations, investigates the variations in infiltration, saturated zones, and potential failure zone distributions under different rainfall patterns and intensities. By analysing soil water content profiles generated under varying rainfall patterns, the effects of water redistribution on hydraulic conductivity are examined, and the respective influences of rainfall patterns and topography on slope stability are discussed. The results indicate that different types of bedrock topography exert significant control on water flow paths and the locations of failure zones, while rainfall patterns determine the expansion direction and vertical extent of potential failure zones. The findings of this study contribute to identifying the locations of potential failure zones under diverse rainfall conditions and provide a reference for geological hazard assessment and the early warning of shallow slope failures.</p> Highlights <p><UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> <p>Bedrock topography governs water flow paths and failure zone locations.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Rainfall patterns control the expansion direction and depth of saturation.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Thin soil layers over bedrock protrusions are high-risk landslide zones.</p> </ItemContent> </UnorderedList></p>