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5th September 2024 (11 Topics)

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

  • The “Landslide Atlas of India” has been generated by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad, part of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • This atlas provides detailed information on landslide-prone areas across the country, aiding in risk assessment and management.
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