Model Answer:
Landslides, defined as the movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope, are complex geological phenomena that pose significant risks to human life, property, and infrastructure. These natural disasters occur when the stability of a slope changes from a stable to an unstable condition, often triggered by various natural and anthropogenic factors.
Causes of Landslides
Geological factors:
Weak or sensitive materials
Weathered materials
Sheared, jointed, or fissured materials
Discontinuities or adversely-oriented structural features
Morphological factors:
Tectonic or volcanic uplift
Glacial rebound
Fluvial, wave, or glacial erosion of slope toe or lateral margins
Subterranean erosion
Physical factors:
Intense rainfall
Rapid snow melt
Prolonged precipitation
Rapid drawdown of floods and tides
Earthquake shaking
Volcanic eruptions
Thawing of permafrost
Human factors:
Excavation of slope or its toe
Loading of slope or its crest
Deforestation
Irrigation
Mining activities
Artificial vibration
Effects of Landslides
Loss of human life and injuries
Damage to infrastructure (roads, buildings, communication systems)
Economic losses due to property damage and business interruption
Environmental impacts (changes in landscape, destruction of habitats)
Disruption of water supplies and drainage systems
Sedimentation in rivers and reservoirs
Potential triggering of secondary hazards (e.g., flooding due to landslide dams)
Hazard Mapping and Assessment:
Identification and mapping of landslide-prone areas
Development of landslide susceptibility maps
Regular updating of hazard maps using advanced technologies
Early Warning Systems:
Installation of monitoring equipment in high-risk areas
Development of rainfall thresholds for landslide initiation
Implementation of real-time alert systems
Land-use Planning and Zoning:
Incorporation of landslide risk in urban and rural development plans
Restriction of construction in high-risk zones
Implementation of building codes and regulations
Structural and Non-structural Mitigation Measures:
Construction of retaining walls, drainage systems, and slope stabilisation structures
Afforestation and bioengineering techniques
Relocation of communities from high-risk areas
Capacity Building and Public Awareness:
Training programs for professionals and local authorities
Education and awareness campaigns for communities in vulnerable areas
Development of landslide preparedness and response plans
Research and Development:
Promotion of scientific studies on landslide mechanisms and prediction
Development of innovative technologies for monitoring and mitigation
Collaboration between academic institutions and government agencies
Institutional Framework and Governance:
Establishment of a dedicated national agency for landslide management
Coordination among various stakeholders (government, NGOs, private sector)
Regular review and updating of policies and strategies
Landslides pose significant threats to human life and infrastructure, driven by a combination of natural and human-induced factors. The National Landslide Risk Management Strategy emphasizes comprehensive measures, including hazard assessment, early warning systems, and community engagement, to effectively mitigate these risks and enhance resilience in vulnerable regions
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