Kalladi landslide in Waynad, Kerala has renewed concerns over landslide risks in India | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

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In Summary

  • Waynad landslides linked to heavy rain, steep terrain, and fractured slopes in Western Ghats, similar to Himalayan incidents.
  • India is among the top 4 landslide-prone countries, with Northwest Himalayas being most affected, followed by Northeast Himalayas and Western Ghats.
  • GSI is the nodal agency for landslide mitigation; measures include hazard zonation mapping, structural stabilization, and early warning systems like LEWS by IIT Mandi.

In Summary

Waynad landslides has been linked to torrential rainfall, steep terrain and highly fractured slopes of Vellarimala mountain ranges in the Western Ghats.

  • Similar landslides incidents were reported from Himalayan states, like Uttarakhand (Chamoli) and Jammu & Kashmir.

About Landslides

  • It is the downward falling or sliding of a mass of soil, detritus, or rock on or from a steep slope under the influence of gravity
  • Landslide Atlas of India by ISRO
    • India is among the top 4 landslide-prone countries globally.
    • Excluding snow areas, ~12.6 % of area  is prone. 
    • Regional contribution: Northwest Himalayas - 66.5%, Northeast Himalayas -18.8%, Western Ghats - 14.7%.

Measures taken 

  • Geological Survey of India (GSI), ministry of mines, designated as the nodal agency for landslides to coordinate national mitigation efforts
  • National Disaster Management Authority 2009 guidelines asks for Hazard Zonation Mapping, structural stabilization techniques like retaining structures, slope correction etc. 
  • Landslide early warning system (LEWS) for the Indian Himalayas by IIT Mandi for daily warnings 
  • Application of Persistent Scatterer Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSInSAR) Interferometry technique to track ground deformation and displacement.
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RELATED TERMS

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Persistent Scatterer Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSInSAR) Interferometry

A remote sensing technique used to monitor ground deformation and displacement over time by analyzing radar images. It is crucial for identifying subtle ground movements that can precede landslides.

Landslide early warning system (LEWS)

A system designed to detect potential landslide events in advance and provide timely warnings to communities at risk, enabling them to take precautionary measures. IIT Mandi has developed such a system for the Indian Himalayas.

Hazard Zonation Mapping

A process of identifying and delineating areas prone to specific natural hazards like landslides, earthquakes, or floods. This mapping helps in land-use planning and risk reduction strategies.

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