Government inaugurates National Landslide Forecasting Centre
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Disaster Management
Source: PIB
Context: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy Inaugurates National Landslide Forecasting Centre and Launches Bhusanket Web Portal & Bhooskhalan Mobile App
What is National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC)?
The National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC) aims to mitigate landslide hazards in India. It provides early warning bulletins for landslide-prone states and plans to operationalize a nationwide Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) by 2030
Other Initiatives:
• Bhusanket Web Portal: Facilitates dissemination of information on landslide hazards and initiates short- and medium-range forecasting.
• Bhooskhalan Mobile App: Provides quick daily landslide forecasts.
• Previously, IIT Delhi’s HydroSense Lab has created India’s first high-resolution landslide susceptibility map
About Landslide:
A landslide is “a movement of a mass of rock, earth or debris down a slope”.
Types of flows
• Debris flows: It is a form of rapid mass movement in which a combination of loose soil, rock, organic matter, and slurry that flows downslope. They are commonly caused by intense precipitation or rapid snowmelt.
• Earth flow: It is a down-slope viscous flow of fine-grained material saturated with water.
• Mudflow:A mudflow is a wet or viscous fluid mass of fine and coarse-grained material that flows rapidly along drainage channels.
• Creep:Creep is the slow, steady, downward movement of material under gravity that occurs in a large area
India’s Vulnerability to Landslides (as per ISRO’s Landslide Atlas of India)
• Global Ranking: India ranks among the top five countries globally prone to landslides, witnessing at least one death per 100 sq km annually due to such events.
• Primary Cause: Rainfall variability, particularly in the Himalayas and Western Ghats, stands as the predominant cause of landslides in India.
• Geographical Vulnerability: Excluding snow-covered areas, over 12% of the country’s geographical land area is susceptible to landslides.
• Regional Breakdown: Over 66% of landslides occur in the North-western Himalayas. Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand have the highest landslide density and landslide risk exposure in the country. About 19% are reported in the North-eastern Himalayas. The Western Ghats contribute to over 14% of landslide events.
• Over 66% of landslides occur in the North-western Himalayas. Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand have the highest landslide density and landslide risk exposure in the country.
• Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand have the highest landslide density and landslide risk exposure in the country.
• About 19% are reported in the North-eastern Himalayas.
• The Western Ghats contribute to over 14% of landslide events.
• Impact in the Western Ghats: Despite fewer occurrences, landslides in the Western Ghats pose significant risks, especially in Kerala, making inhabitants vulnerable to fatalities.
Causes of Landslides:
Causes of Landslides | Details
Heavy Rainfall | Excessive rainfall saturates the soil, increasing its weight and reducing cohesion. This weakens slopes, particularly during heavy rain, making them more susceptible to landslides.
Steep Slopes | Areas with steep terrain face greater landslide risk as gravitational forces act more intensely on sloping surfaces, especially during heavy rainfall or seismic activity.
Earthquakes | Seismic activity can disrupt slope balance, triggering landslides. Volcanic eruptions, such as pyroclastic flows, displacing soil and rock, also contribute to landslide occurrences.
Human Activities | Deforestation, mining, construction, and excavation alter landscapes, remove vegetation, and disturb slope balance. These activities weaken terrain stability, escalating the risk of landslides.
Underlying Geology | The type of rock and soil beneath an area influences landslide susceptibility. Loose, unconsolidated soil is more prone to landslides, while stable bedrock, typical in the Himalayan landscape, is less likely to experience such events.
Effects of landslides:
• Loss of Life: According to the International Disaster Database (EM-DAT), landslides have caused over 50,000 fatalities worldwide between 2000 and 2020. In the state of Uttarakhand, India, the 2013 Kedarnath disaster resulted in approximately 6000 deaths.
• In the state of Uttarakhand, India, the 2013 Kedarnath disaster resulted in approximately 6000 deaths.
• Environmental Impact: Soil erosion caused by landslides can lead to sedimentation in rivers and streams, affecting water quality and aquatic life. The 2014 landslide in Oso, Washington, resulted in significant damage to the Stillaguamish River ecosystem.
• The 2014 landslide in Oso, Washington, resulted in significant damage to the Stillaguamish River ecosystem.
• Infrastructure Disruption: Landslides can block critical transportation routes. In February 2021, the Chamoli disaster led to the blockage of the Rishi Ganga River and the destruction of various infrastructure in the region.
• In February 2021, the Chamoli disaster led to the blockage of the Rishi Ganga River and the destruction of various infrastructure in the region.
• Property Damage: The cost of repairing or rebuilding homes, infrastructure, and farmlands can be substantial.
• Displacement: The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) reports that landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in Nepal in 2020 displaced more than 9,000 households, leaving many families without shelter.
Recent examples of landslide disasters in the past year:
• Joshimath Sinking in Uttarakhand
• June 2023: A landslide in the Noney district of Manipur, India, killed at least 58 people.
• May 2023: A landslide in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, killed at least 232 people.
• March 2023: A landslide in Putumayo, Colombia, killed at least 323 people.
Government Measures for Landslide Impact Mitigation:
• The National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) Programme (initiated by the Geological Survey of India in 2014) aims to Map the 0.42 million sq. km landslide-prone areas across India at a Macro Scale (1:50,000) Create a dynamic National Landslide Susceptibility Geodatabase for India
• Map the 0.42 million sq. km landslide-prone areas across India at a Macro Scale (1:50,000)
• Create a dynamic National Landslide Susceptibility Geodatabase for India
• Establish a nationwide repository on GIS-based Landslide Inventory
• The goal is to enhance understanding, assessment, and management of landslide-prone regions in the country through comprehensive mapping and geospatial analysis.
• National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released the Landslide Atlas of India, a detailed guide identifying Landslide Hotspots in the country.
NDMA Guidelines:
National Disaster Management Guideline on Management of Landslides and Snow Avalanches
• Hazard, Vulnerability & Risk Assessment: Identify areas prone to landslide hazards and assess resources at risk
• Early Warning Systems: Continuous monitoring of movements, stress development, and timely data transmission
• Investigations for Risk Assessment: Multi-disciplinary investigations for comprehensive risk assessment leading to the formulation of standards to effectively mitigate the impact of landslides
Way Forward for Landslide Management in India:
Way Forward | Details
Landslide Monitoring | Involves deploying sensors, satellite imagery, and ground-based instruments for detecting ground movement and potential landslide precursors.
NHAI’s Landslip Detection System | The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to install a landslip detection system on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway in Munnar. The system, developed by IIT-Mandi, the Indian Army, and DRDO, aims to provide early warnings about landslips.
Landslide Hazard Maps | Generation of reliable landslide hazard maps using advanced tools like UAVs, Terrestrial Laser Scanners, and high-resolution Earth Observation (EO) data.
International Best Practices | Learning from Brazil’s SNAKE System, a Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS), to incorporate digital monitoring, forecasting, and alert mechanisms.
Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Landslide Management | Formation of an expert professional group at the national level to study and decide on risk mitigation strategies to recommend permanent fixes for identified landslide hotspots.
Awareness Programmes | Initiatives aimed at creating a culture of awareness, alertness and preparedness among the public.
Monitoring Construction and Development | Implementing strict monitoring of construction and developmental activities, such as roads and dams, in landslide-prone areas.
Limiting Agriculture and Settlements | Restricting agriculture to valleys and areas with moderate slopes, controlling large settlements in high vulnerability zones.
Afforestation and Water Flow Control | Promoting large-scale afforestation programs and constructing bunds to reduce water flow.
Encouraging Terrace Farming | Encouraging terrace farming, especially in northeastern hill states where Jhumming (Slash and Burn/Shifting Cultivation) is prevalent.
Conclusion:
Understanding the causes and effects of landslides is essential for disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts. Implementing early warning systems, land-use planning, and sustainable land management practices can help reduce the vulnerability of communities to landslide hazards. Moreover, international cooperation and sharing of knowledge and best practices are crucial in addressing the challenges posed.
About GSI:
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), established in 1851 under the Ministry of Mines, is a key scientific agency conducting geological surveys and studies. Headquartered in Kolkata, GSI has six regional offices and state units nationwide. Originally focused on coal deposits for railways, it now provides comprehensive geoscientific information, maps rock types, geological structures, and explores critical minerals, utilizing advanced techniques and collaborating with various stakeholders.
Insta Links:
• Landslide Atlas of India
Mains Link:
Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard zonation mapping will help disaster mitigation in the case of landslides UPSC 2019
Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats (UPSC 2021)