Understanding the Increase in Landslides in India

02 Sep, 2025
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1. WHAT IS DRIVING THE RISE IN landslides IN India?

The increasing frequency of landslides in India is driven by a combination of factors such as climate change, shifting rainfall patterns, deforestation, road construction, and human activities in ecologically fragile zones. These elements destabilize natural slopes and significantly increase risks in sensitive regions like the Himalayas and Western Ghats.

2. HOW DOES CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT LANDSLIDE OCCURRENCES?

Climate change has disrupted traditional monsoon cycles, leading to short bursts of intense rainfall. Such heavy downpours reduce soil stability, as waterlogging decreases soil cohesion. Prolonged rainfall further saturates the ground, making slopes extremely prone to collapse.

3. WHICH AREAS ARE MOST VULNERABLE?

Himalayan states: Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh
North-East India
Western Ghats: Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
Other high-risk zones include the Nilgiris, Konkan coast, and major river valleys

Together, these regions account for nearly 0.49 million sq. km of India’s total land area, making a significant portion of the country vulnerable.

4. WHAT ROLE DOES HUMAN ACTIVITY PLAY?

Human-induced changes intensify natural risks. Unregulated construction, road widening, dam projects, and large-scale infrastructure development disturb slope stability. Mining, tunneling, and slope-cutting further weaken fragile terrains, while deforestation eliminates the root systems that hold soil together.

5. WHAT ARE THE RECENT INCIDENTS OF LANDSLIDES?

Vaishno Devi shrine (J&K): A landslide killed at least 20 people.
Ramban and Reasi (J&K): Multiple landslides blocked the Jammu–Srinagar highway.
Dharali (Uttarakhand): Cloudbursts triggered landslides, leaving several missing.
Mandi, Kullu, Chamba (Himachal Pradesh): Heavy rains caused flash floods and landslides, leading to widespread destruction.

6. HOW CAN LANDSLIDE RISKS BE MANAGED?

Restricting construction and development in fragile zones
Strengthening and maintaining natural drainage systems
Promoting afforestation and restoring vegetation cover
Implementing real-time monitoring and early warning systems
Integrating land-use planning with disaster risk reduction strategies

7. WHY ARE LANDSLIDES A GROWING NATIONAL CONCERN?

Beyond causing human casualties, landslides disrupt essential transportation routes, block highways, damage critical infrastructure, and pose threats to river valleys by triggering flash floods and damming. This makes landslides one of India’s most pressing environmental and developmental challenges.