Explained: Why Landslides Keep Devastating India's Most Vulnerable Regions, Wayanad landslide, himalayas
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Climate change & international agreements· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
A major landslide at the Kozhikode-Wayanad twin-tunnel project site in Kerala highlights the intersection of climate-induced heavy rainfall and geological instability.
Background
The landslide occurred at a road project site in Kerala, triggered by heavy rains and exacerbated by climate change. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the primary body responsible for classifying landslide types and monitoring geological hazards in India.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyGeological Survey of India (GSI): The nodal agency for geological mapping and landslide classification in India.
- PlaceWayanad: A district in Kerala prone to landslides due to its hilly terrain and heavy monsoon rainfall.
- FactLandslide triggers: Combination of geological instability, heavy rainfall, and human activities like road cutting and poor drainage.
For Mains
Q. Analyze how the synergy between climate change and unplanned infrastructure development exacerbates landslide vulnerability in India's Himalayan and Western Ghats regions.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Ecological degradation: Loss of vegetative cover and soil cohesion due to unregulated road cutting and construction.
- Hydrological imbalance: Poor drainage systems leading to rapid soil saturation and increased pore-water pressure.
- Institutional gap: Need for site-specific geological risk assessments and land-use zoning in ecologically sensitive zones.
Keywords: Geological instability · Climate-induced hazards · Land-use zoning · Disaster mitigation · Ecological sensitivity
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.