Current Issues
News-Kerala Landslide, the landslides are the worst disaster to hit Kerala since 2018, when floods
killed more than 400 people
(Syllabus-Important Geographic Phenomena and Disaster and Management)
Causes
Kerala recorded more than 37% excess rainfall in just two-and-
a-half months, while in the past that has happened throughout
the monsoon season which usually lasts about four months.
Such heavy rainfall in a short space of time also triggered
landslides that killed many people.
Q. What is landslide?
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down
a sloped section of land. Landslides are caused
by rain, earthquakes, volcanoes, or other factors that make the
slope unstable.
Q. What Causes Landslides?
Three major causes: geology, morphology, and human activity.
-Geology refers to characteristics of the material itself. The earth or rock might be weak or fractured,
or different layers may have different strength and stiffness.
-Morphology refers to the structure of the land. For example, slopes that lose
their vegetation to fire or drought are more vulnerable to landslides. Vegetation holds soil in place,
and without the root systems of trees, bushes, and other plants, the land is more likely to slide away.
A classic morphological cause of landslides is erosion, or weakening of earth due to water.
-Human activity, such as agriculture and construction, can increase the risk of a
landslide. Irrigation, deforestation, excavation, and water leakage are some of the common activities
that can help destabilize, or weaken, a slope.
Q. Impacts of Landslide?
1. Loss of life and property: For instance, around 300 people lost their lives in Wayanad
landslides.
2. Infrastructure damage: Critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, power lines, etc. are
destroyed.
3. Economic losses: Disrupt livelihoods, trade, and tourism. The landslides in Darjeeling, West
Bengal, have impacted the region’s tea industry.
4. Environmental degradation: Causes soil erosion, deforestation, and pollution of water
bodies, leading to long-term environmental consequences.
5. Disaster relief and rehabilitation: Government resources are diverted for rescue, relief, and
rehabilitation efforts after landslides, impacting other development priorities.
6. Psychological impact: Landslides can cause severe trauma and psychological distress among
survivors and affected communities.
Q. What are the Measures?
(As per the Disaster Management Act, 2005 the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), a
statutory and apex body under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister, is mandated to lay down the
policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management to ensure timely and effective response to
disasters.)
India, is vulnerable to different types of landslides which cause significant destruction in terms of loss
of lives and property. As per GSI, about 0.42 million km2 covering nearly 12.6% of land area of our
country is prone to landslide hazards. Mountainous region of the North-Western Himalayas, the Sub-
Himalayan terrain of the North-East, the Western and Eastern Ghats are prone to landslides covering
22 States and 2 Union Territories
During the monsoon, these areas witness frequent landslides.
Examples for Value Addition
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand (2013): Unprecedented rain and floods triggered massive landslides, leading
to the death of over 5700 people and the destruction of thousands of villages.
Malin, Maharashtra (2014): Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that claimed the lives of around 151
people, with 100 others missing.
Wayanad, Kerala (2024): Recent landslides in the Wayanad district caused significant loss of life and
property damage, highlighting the ongoing threat of landslides in India.
Thus, a need for formulation of National Landslide Risk Management Strategy was felt. NDMA
constituted a Task Force for the formulation of national and local level strategy for landslide risk
reduction. This strategy document is also fulfilling the fifth target of Sendai Framework for Disaster
Risk Reduction (2015-30) i.e., Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local
disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.
The Task Force was divided into six Sub-Groups as under: -
a) Sub-Group I: Generation of User-Friendly Landslide Hazard Maps
b) Sub-Group II: Development of Landslide Monitoring and Early Warning System
c) Sub-Group III: Awareness Programmes
d) Sub-Group IV: Capacity Building and Training of Stakeholders
e) Sub-Group V: Preparation of Mountain Zone Regulations & Policies
f) Sub-Group VI: Stabilization and Mitigation of Landslides and Creation of Special Purpose Vehicle
(SPV) for Landslide Management.
The formulation of overall National Landslide Risk Management Strategy was planned to be
developed through six independent working groups under six Heads of Sub-Groups assisted by
experts in relevant fields.
Way Forward
Landslide management in India has made significant strides, but there is still much to be done to
ensure the safety and resilience of vulnerable regions. The key to effective landslide management lies
in a multi-faceted approach that includes:
Hazard Zonation and Mapping: Identifying and mapping landslide-prone areas to prioritize
mitigation efforts.
Early Warning Systems: Developing and implementing robust early warning systems to alert
communities in advance.
Infrastructure Resilience: Strengthening infrastructure to withstand landslide impacts, including
proper drainage systems and slope stabilization techniques.
Community Awareness and Education: Educating communities about landslide risks and
preparedness measures.
Policy and Regulation: Enforcing strict land-use policies and building regulations in landslide-
prone areas.
Research and Development: Investing in research to better understand landslide dynamics and
develop innovative mitigation technologies.
PYQ
Q. Describe the various causes and effect of landslide. Mention the important components of the
National Landslide Risk Management strategy. (2021)
Q. The frequency of urban flooding due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years.
Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanism for preparedness to reduce the risk
during such events. (2016)
Q. Which of the following factors contribute to urban flooding in India?
a) Encroachment on drainage channels
b) Climate change
c) Poor urban planning
d) All of the above
Practice
Q. Discuss the reasons for ever rising landslide activity in Western Ghats and analyse the vulnerability
of these regions. (250 W)
Q. Explain the mechanism of the Southwest Monsoon in India. (150 W)
Q. Which region in India receives the highest rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon?
a) Western Ghats
b) Thar Desert
c) Deccan Plateau
d) Indo-Gangetic Plain.
