GS 3 – Disaster management
Context
Following the death of 34 pilgrims in a landslip on 26 August 2025 along the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairperson of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the incident.
Landslides
Landslides are the downward movement of rocks, soil, or debris under gravity, mostly occurring on slopes in hilly and mountainous regions.
Types
- Falls & Topples: Sudden drop of rocks or soil.
- Slides: Translational or rotational movement of a mass along a slope.
- Spreads: Slow, lateral movement of soil.
- Flows: Fast-moving debris or mud (debris flows, mudflows).
Speed: Can range from slow creep to rapid, destructive flows.
Triggers
- Natural: Heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, erosion, weathering, steep slopes.
- Human-Induced: Deforestation, unplanned construction, road cutting, mining, faulty drainage.
Regions Prone to Landslides in India
- Himalayas: J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Western Ghats: Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra.
- Northeast Hills: Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura.
- Eastern Ghats: Certain vulnerable sections.
- Special Note: Pilgrimage routes (e.g., Char Dham) are highly susceptible.
Impacts
- Human: Loss of life, injuries, displacement.
- Infrastructure: Roads, railways, bridges, buildings damaged.
- Services: Disruption of transport, power, water supply.
- Economy: Agriculture, tourism, and local livelihoods affected.
- Environment: Soil erosion, habitat destruction, river damming.
Management Strategies
Prevention & Mitigation
- Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ): Map vulnerable areas.
- Slope Stabilization:
- Bio-engineering: Afforestation, deep-rooted plants.
- Engineering: Retaining walls, rock bolting, nets, drainage systems.
- Controlled Drainage: Prevent waterlogging.
- Sustainable Land Use: Regulate construction in high-risk zones.
- Early Warning Systems: Rainfall-induced alerts by IMD/GSI.
Preparedness
- Community awareness and training.
- Emergency action and evacuation plans.
- Monitoring ground movement using sensors.
Response
- Search & Rescue: NDRF/SDRF teams.
- Medical aid, relief operations (food, shelter, water).
- Clearing roads to restore connectivity.
Rehabilitation & Recovery
- Rebuilding infrastructure with resilience.
- Livelihood restoration for affected communities.
- Continuous slope monitoring for long-term safety.