Landslides occur in India due to a combination of factors including heavy rainfall, steep terrain, seismic activity, deforestation, and improper land use practices. These factors weaken the stability of slopes, leading to landslides in many parts of the country.
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Landslides in India: A Comprehensive Overview
As an expert in geology and natural disasters, I have witnessed the devastating impact of landslides in India firsthand. Landslides occur frequently in various parts of the country and are a result of a complex interplay of several factors. In this article, I will delve into the reasons behind the occurrence of landslides in India, providing a detailed examination of each contributing factor.
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Heavy rainfall: India experiences a monsoon season characterized by intense rainfall, resulting in loose and saturated soil. This excess water weakens the slopes, reducing their stability and making them more prone to landslides. The Western Ghats, Himalayan region, and northeastern states are particularly susceptible due to their higher average rainfall.
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Steep terrain: India’s geographical landscape boasts numerous mountain ranges, hills, and valleys with steep slopes. Steep slopes combined with the force of gravity put immense pressure on the underlying soil and rocks, increasing the likelihood of landslides. Hill stations like Darjeeling, Mussoorie, and Shimla are situated in regions susceptible to such events.
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Seismic activity: India is located in a seismically active zone, with several tectonic plates converging in the region. Earthquakes can induce landslides by significantly shaking the ground and destabilizing the slopes. The Himalayan belt, including regions like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, experiences frequent seismic events, further exacerbating the landslide risk.
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Deforestation: Unregulated deforestation and indiscriminate cutting of trees for urban expansion, agriculture, and commercial purposes have significantly contributed to soil erosion and destabilization of slopes. The removal of trees, which act as natural stabilizers, weakens the soil’s cohesion, increasing the likelihood of landslides.
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Improper land use practices: Poor land management practices such as construction of roads, buildings, and infrastructure on unstable slopes without proper engineering measures can trigger landslides. Improper drainage systems, inadequate slope stabilization techniques, and excessive excavation further compromise slope stability. The hilly regions of Uttarakhand and the Western Ghats suffer from such ill-planned and unregulated development.
Considering these factors, it becomes evident that landslides in India are a multi-faceted issue requiring comprehensive mitigation strategies. Efforts should focus on strengthening regulations and promoting sustainable land management practices. Implementing effective early warning systems, geotechnical evaluations, and afforestation initiatives are crucial in reducing the risk of landslides and mitigating their impact.
To shed further light on the severity of landslides in India, I would like to quote from a renowned resource: “India accounts for one-fifth of the global death toll due to landslides, with thousands of lives lost every year” (Source: Geological Survey of India).
Furthermore, here are some interesting facts related to landslides in India:
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The state of Himachal Pradesh is known as the “Land of Landslides” due to its vulnerability to frequent slope failures.
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The massive Kedarnath landslide in 2013, triggered by heavy rainfall and cloudburst, resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and widespread destruction in Uttarakhand.
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The Northeast Indian states, including Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, are prone to large-scale landslides due to their unique combination of steep slopes, high rainfall, and rugged terrain.
I hope this comprehensive overview provides valuable insights into the occurrence of landslides in India. By understanding the contributing factors and taking appropriate measures, we can work towards minimizing the impact of these natural disasters and ensuring the safety of communities living in landslide-prone areas.
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India has the highest mountain chain on earth, the Himalayas, which are formed due to collision of Indian and Eurasian plate, the northward movement of the Indian plate towards China causes continuous stress on the rocks rendering them friable, weak and prone to landslides and earthquakes.
Landslides are caused due to a combination of various natural as well as anthropogenic factors. They cause substantial damage and claim around 5000 lives each year (Vasudevan and Ramanathan, 2016). In India, landslides commonly occur in the regions near the Himalayas in North and North-Eastern states, Western Ghats and Nilgiris (Das et al., 2014).
What Causes a Landslide in India?
- 1. Deforestation Human interference is one of the major causes of landslides in India. Deforestation is one such phenomenon which may trigger landslide.
Important factors considered to be responsible for causing landslides are: Slope instability due to removal of lateral and underlying support. Indiscriminate chopping down of trees. Slash and burn cultivation practices in hills Road construction and mining activities.
Causes of Landslide
- Volcanic eruptions in specific regions can also cause landslides.
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Landslides occur when gravity overpowers the friction that holds rock layers on a slope, with factors like heavy rain, deforestation, earthquakes, and coastal erosion disrupting this balance. Heavy rain adds weight and reduces friction, causing the top layer of land to slide. Deforestation removes tree roots, making land prone to slipping. Earthquakes shake the ground and dislodge rocks. Coastal erosion from ocean waves wearing away cliff rock can lead to collapses.
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Why does India have so many landslides?
Answer: Deforestation
Human interference is one of the major causes of landslides in India. Deforestation is one such phenomenon which may trigger landslide. For example, the Himalayan region has become more vulnerable to landslides due to the indiscriminate cutting of trees.
How landslides occur in India? Response: Landslides occur frequently in the Himalayan and other landslide-prone hilly areas in the country especially during the monsoon as a result of heavy rainfall. The majority of the landslide-prone areas in India happen to be located in regions that are also earthquake prone.
Is India prone to landslide?
India is considered among the top five landslide-prone countries globally, where at least one death per 100 sq km is reported in a year due to a landslide event. Rainfall variability pattern is the single biggest cause for landslides in the country, with the Himalayas and the Western Ghats remaining highly vulnerable.
What are the major incidents of landslides in India?
The answer is: List of Landslide Affected Areas in India till Date
| Major Landslide Zones in India Hit till Date | Year & Responsible Factor |
|---|---|
| Guwahati landslide in Assam | 18th September 1948 due to Heavy rain |
| Darjeeling landslide in West Bengal | 4th October 1968 due to Flood |
People also ask, What causes landslides in India?
Answer: Human interference is one of the major causes of landslides in India. Deforestation is one such phenomenon which may trigger landslide. For example, the Himalayan region has become more vulnerable to landslides due to the indiscriminate cutting of trees. Removal of trees reduces the binding properties of soil and rocks.
Additionally, Why do landslides occur?
The reply will be: Human activities like mining or quarrying remove the vegetation cover and soil gravel. This lowers the groundwater retention capacity. Also, it increases the risk of flooding. Therefore, landslides occur due to loose debris or excess floods during an earthquake and heavy rainfall, respectively. 5. Urbanisation
Moreover, Why are the Himalayan ranges prone to landslides?
Response will be: The Himalayan ranges dominate Indian geographic features and are a reserve of geologic studies. These regions are however prone to big landslides due to theirunique rocky features.
How many landslides have happened in Arunachal Pradesh?
Scientists at GSI gathered data from 61,287 landslides in the last seven years to create this map, 85 percent of which is complete. Susceptibility of Arunachal Pradesh is still being assessed, following which, all of India will have a susceptibility indicator.
Besides, What causes landslides in India?
Human interference is one of the major causes of landslides in India. Deforestation is one such phenomenon which may trigger landslide. For example, the Himalayan region has become more vulnerable to landslides due to the indiscriminate cutting of trees. Removal of trees reduces the binding properties of soil and rocks.
Then, What is landslide in Himachal Pradesh?
Response: Recently, A landslide has struck the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, the 2nd time within 15 days, killing at least 14 people and burying several others. The catastrophe has been severe, with mud, rocks, and debris raining down on vehicles, including a state transport corporation bus on National Highway 5. How is Landslide Defined?
Also, Why do landslides occur in the Himalayas and Western Ghats? The answer is: The Himalayas and the Western Ghats in India are ordained with high mountains and steep slopes, and the frequent presence of escarpments covered with friable rocks are hotbeds for the occurrence of landslides (Anbalagan 1992; Shroder and Bishop 1998; Nagarajan et al. 1998; Rautela and Lakhera 2000 ).
Secondly, Which is the most landslide prone zone in India? Response: India has the largest chain of mountains, which is formed by the collision of land plates. This zone is the most landslide prone zone of India. The Natural Disaster Management department has taken all necessary measures to safeguard life in landslide prone areas in India.