5th September 2024 (11 Topics)
2
Sep
3
Sep
4
Sep
5
Sep
6
Sep
7
Sep
9
Sep
10
Sep
11
Sep
12
Sep
13
Sep
14
Sep
16
Sep
17
Sep
18
Sep
19
Sep
Nagaland Landslide
Context
Due to incessant rain in the past few weeks and cloud burst, a massive landslide occurred in Nagaland’s Pherima village.
Why Landslide Took Place in Nagaland?
- A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, earth, or debris down a slope.
- Triggering factors: It can be triggered by various factors, including rainfall, undercutting of slopes, earthquakes, snowmelt, overgrazing, terrain cutting, and excessive development.
- Rainfall is a primary natural trigger, influencing landslides through its combined action on topography, geology, soil, and vegetation.
- Nagaland's hilly terrain, consisting of steep slopes and high relief, is highly susceptible to landslides. The state is predominantly composed of shales and sandstones, which are often sheared, fractured, and weathered.
- Saturation of these rocks with water builds up high pore-water pressure, leading to a loss of shearing strength and collapse of the soil structure.
- Repeated thrusting and faulting further weaken the rocks, making them prone to rock falls and debris slides.
- Monsoon Influence: Landslides in Nagaland are exacerbated during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall increases the risk of landslides. The combination of steep slopes and saturated soil creates a high vulnerability to landslides.
Landslide Vulnerability in India
- Extent of Vulnerability: Approximately 0.42 million square kilometers of India’s landmass, or about 13% of its area, is prone to landslides. This includes regions across 15 states and four Union Territories.
- Northeastern Region: About 0.18 million square kilometers, or 42% of the vulnerable area, is in the Northeastern region, characterized by hilly terrain and a high incidence of earthquakes, which are significant landslide triggers.
- Regional Distribution: The Northwest Himalayas account for 66.5% of landslides in India, followed by the Northeast Himalayas at 18.8%, and the Western Ghats at 14.7%.
Fact Box:Landslide Atlas of India
|
Courses
Study
Notes
Home
Resources
More
