Recent Wayanad landslides (2024) causing over 400 casualties highlight the urgent need for comprehensive landslide risk management in India's geologically sensitive regions.

Causes of Landslides

Natural Causes:

• Geological Factors: Weak rock formations, weathered materials, and jointed/fissured rocks create unstable slopes prone to failure
• Climatic Triggers: Intense rainfall exceeding 150mm/day, rapid snowmelt, and prolonged wet spells saturate soil layers
• Seismic Activity: Earthquakes and ground vibrations destabilize slope materials, particularly in Himalayan regions
• Morphological Changes: River erosion, glacial activity, and natural weathering processes weaken slope stability
• Gravitational Forces: Steep terrain with slopes exceeding 30 degrees increases gravitational stress on soil mass

Human-Induced Causes:

• Deforestation: Removal of vegetation reduces root binding, affecting 40% of landslide-prone areas in India
• Construction Activities: Unplanned development on steep slopes and excessive loading on hills
• Mining Operations: Improper excavation and waste dumping practices in states like Jharkhand and Odisha
• Agricultural Practices: Overgrazing and improper terracing methods destabilize soil structure
• Infrastructure Development: Road construction and urbanization alter natural drainage patterns

Effects of Landslides

National Landslide Risk Management Strategy Components

Risk Assessment Framework:

• Implementation of National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) covering 0.42 million sq km
• Hazard Zonation Maps classifying areas into high, moderate, and low-risk categories
• Integration with Space-based Information Support for Decentralized Planning (SIS-DP)
• Real-time monitoring through Indian Landslide Observation Network (ILONS)

Prevention and Mitigation Measures:

• Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS) with ₹1,000 crore allocation for 15 vulnerable states
• Structural interventions including retaining walls, drainage systems, and slope stabilization
• Building codes and regulations prohibiting construction on slopes exceeding 30 degrees
• Early Warning Systems (EWS) using rainfall thresholds and real-time monitoring

Institutional Framework:

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as apex coordinating body
• State Disaster Management Authorities for regional implementation
• Building Material and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) for technical guidance
• Integration with Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programs under Sendai Framework

The strategy emphasizes community-based disaster preparedness and sustainable development practices to build long-term resilience against landslide hazards in India's mountainous regions.