Subject: Disaster Management

India's vulnerability to landslides is highlighted by the stark statistics - 12.6% of India's land area is landslide-prone, with the North-western Himalayas accounting for 66.5% of all landslides, causing economic losses of 1-2% of GDP annually.

Causes of Landslides

Natural Causes:

• Geological Factors: Weak or weathered materials, jointed/fissured rock formations, and unfavorable discontinuities in rock masses.
• Seismic Activity: Earthquakes triggering slope failures and ground movements (e.g., 2015 Nepal earthquake causing numerous landslides).
• Intense Rainfall: Heavy precipitation leading to soil saturation and reduced slope stability.

Anthropogenic Causes:

• Deforestation: Removal of natural vegetation reducing soil cohesion and root support.
• Infrastructure Development: Unplanned construction on steep slopes and road cutting activities.
• Mining Activities: Excessive excavation destabilizing hill slopes and natural drainage patterns.

Effects of Landslides

Direct Impacts:

• Loss of Life and Property: Between 1998-2022, states like Mizoram (12,385) and Uttarakhand (11,219) reported highest landslide incidents.
• Infrastructure Damage: Destruction of roads, buildings, and communication networks.
• Economic Losses: EM-DAT database estimates $4.5 million in losses between 1970-2024.

Indirect Impacts:

• Disruption of essential services and transportation networks.
• Long-term impact on tourism and local economies.
• Environmental degradation and ecosystem disturbance.

Components of National Landslide Risk Management Strategy

Prevention and Mitigation:

• Prohibition of construction on slopes exceeding 30 degrees.
• Mandatory load-bearing tests and hazard zonation mapping.
• ₹1000 crore allocation for National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project across 15 states.

Institutional Framework:

• Integration of landslide risk in urban planning through slope/land-use maps.
• Enhanced data collection and monitoring systems.
• Capacity building of local authorities and communities.

The success of National Landslide Risk Management Strategy depends on effective implementation of its components, supported by the 15th Finance Commission's recommendation of ₹750 crore for managing seismic and landslide risks in hill states, alongside robust coordination between state disaster management authorities and local communities.