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Devastating Landslides In Wayanad
Context: Recently, Wayanad, Kerala experienced severe landslides due to extreme rainfall and fragile ecological conditions, with over 140 mm of rain in 24 hours, reminiscent of the 2018 floods.
Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- Central government plans to introduce the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the 18th Lok Sabha.
- Bill aims to create disaster databases at national and state levels.
- Provisions include forming Urban Disaster Management Authorities for state capitals and large cities with Municipal Corporations.
- Database will cover disaster assessment, fund allocation, expenditure, preparedness and mitigation plans, and risk registers by type and severity of risk.
Understanding Landslides:
- Definition: Landslides are the downward movement of rock, soil, and debris on slopes, caused by factors like rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and human activities.
- Types: Includes slides, flows, spreads, topples, and falls, each defined by the movement and nature of materials involved.
Landslide Atlas of India:
- High Risk: India ranks among the top five landslide-prone countries. About 0.42 million sq. km (12.6% of land area) is prone to landslides.
- Regional Distribution: 66.5% in Northwestern Himalayas, 18.8% in Northeastern Himalayas, and 14.7% in the Western Ghats.
Major Landslide-Prone Areas in India:
- Regions: Northeastern region, Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir), Western Ghats (Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu), and Araku region in Andhra Pradesh.
Causes of Landslides:
- Natural Causes:
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- Gravitational Forces
- Heavy Rainfall: Increases soil moisture, reducing cohesion.
- Earthquakes: Destabilise slopes through ground shaking.
- Erosion and Hydrological Factors: Undermine slope stability through water movement.
- Human Activities:
- Deforestation: Removes vegetation that stabilises soil.
- Construction and Land Use Changes: Disrupts natural drainage and load distribution.
- Infrastructure Development: Intensifies land pressure and disrupts natural drainage.
- Historical Deforestation: For agriculture and plantations weakens soil stability.
Differences Between Western Ghats and Himalayan Landslides:
- Western Ghats: Triggered by concentrated rainfall, overburdening of hills, mining, and anthropogenic activities.
- Himalayas: High seismicity, easily erodible rocks, young energetic rivers, and heavy downpour/snowfall.
Challenges of Landslides:
- Human Impact: Loss of life, displacement of communities, infrastructure damage, and economic impact.
- Environmental Impact: Soil erosion, vegetation loss, habitat destruction, and biodiversity effects.
Predicting Landslides:
- Complexity: Involves various geomaterials and environmental factors.
- Data Limitations: Insufficient data and technological limitations make predictions difficult.
Government Initiatives
- Strategies and Schemes: National Landslide Risk Management Strategy, Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme, Flood Risk Mitigation Scheme, and National Guidelines on Landslides.
- Landslide Atlas of India: Provides detailed documentation of landslide events and risk assessments.
Recommendations and Measures:
- Expert Panels:
- Gadgil Report: Advocated for declaring the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas with limited development.
- Kasturirangan Committee: Suggested balancing development with environmental protection.
- Preventive Measures: Real-time monitoring, sustainable socio-economic progress, retaining walls, reforestation, responsible urban planning, and comprehensive early warning systems.
- Soil Nailing and Hydroseeding: Techniques used in Kerala to reinforce soil and promote plant growth to mitigate landslides.
Conclusion:
Regulation, education, and scientific research are crucial to mitigate landslide risks and protect vulnerable communities. Prioritising research, early warning systems, and sustainable practices is essential to reduce the impact of landslides.
