List of Landslide Prone Areas in India
Landslides are the gravitational movement of rocks, masses of earth, or debris through the mountain slopes. Hilly slopes become unstable due to groundwater pressure, earthquakes, erosions and volcanic eruptions, which causes landslides.
More than 12% of the territory is landslide prone areas in India, killing 300 people every year. It is the third most fatal disaster globally, accounting for approximately $400 billion per year for disaster management.
What Are the Landslide Prone States in India?
Some landslide prone states in India are as follows-
| Landslide Prone Areas | States & Cities |
|---|---|
| Western Himalaya | Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal |
| Eastern & North-Eastern Himalaya | West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim |
| Naga-Arakan Mountain belts | Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur |
| Western Ghat region & Nilgiri | Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa |
| Meghalaya Plateau comprising Peninsular India | The north-eastern part of India |
List of Landslide Affected Areas in India till Date
India has seen some of the worst landslides of all times. Mentioned below is the list of the affected areas due to landslides:
| Major Landslide Zones in India Hit till Date | Year & Responsible Factor | Impact Due to the Destruction |
| Guwahati landslide in Assam | 18th September 1948 due to Heavy rain | 500 people died, and an entire village was buried under it |
| Darjeeling landslide in West Bengal | 4th October 1968 due to Flood | More than 1000 people died, and a 60km highway was broken into 91 parts |
| Malpa landslide in Uttarakhand | Consecutive landslides for 7 days between 11th to 17th August 1998 due to Earthquake | An entire village was washed off with 380 people |
| Mumbai landslide in Maharashtra | 10th July 2000 due to Heavy rain | 67 people died |
| Amboori landslide in Kerala | 9th November 2001 due to Heavy rain | 40 people died |
| Kedarnath landslide in Uttarakhand | 16th July 2013 due to Flood | 5700 people died, and 42,00 villages were affected |
| Malin landslide in Maharashtra | 30th July 2014 due to Heavy rainfall | 151 people died, and more than 100 were missing |
| Karimgang and Hilakandi landslide in Assam | 18th May 2016 due to Pre-monsoon precipitation | More than 50 people died and caused severe damage to agricultural land, cattle, and properties. |
| Kotrupi landslide in Himachal Pradesh | 13th August 2017 due to Excessive rainfall | More than 50 people died, 40 were missing, and there were severe casualties |
| Kuwari landslide in Uttarakhand | 10th March 2018 due to Heavy rainfall | More than 400 people died, and 106 houses perished |
| Pettimudi landslide in Kerela | 6th August 2020 due to incessant rainfall | 80 people died, and many casualties occurred |
Preventive Measures Taken in Areas Generally Prone to Landslides
Some of the preventive measures are taken in areas prone to landslides in India to mitigate the disaster caused -
- Installing an early warning system by monitoring climate and ground conditions. Strains in rocks, groundwater level, and slope displacement are early signs of landslides' warning.
- Installing retaining walls, grouting rock joints, and fissures.
- Diverting pathways of debris and rerouting underwater drainage systems.
- Awareness programs are conducted to train the community to identify gaps, implement protective measures, and protect themselves and the community.
Insurance Policies for People Living in Landslide Prone Areas
People residing in areas affected by landslides in India should buy policies under the homeowner policy, which has "Difference in Condition" to protect your home, property, business, agricultural land, etc. Some of the products under such specific criteria are-
- Content coverage covers the content of your home under landslide prone areas like furniture, valuables, etc.
- Earth movement coverage – This insurance covers a house or any other building on your property.
- Flood insurance – Landslides are often caused by floods, where your home is affected by both flood and landslide; in such cases, this insurance will protect your loss.
India has the largest chain of mountains, which is formed by the collision of land plates. This zone is the most landslide prone zone of India. The Natural Disaster Management department has taken all necessary measures to safeguard life in landslide prone areas in India. The Indian Government has deployed many other departments and resources to recover destruction in these areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an earthquake insurance policy cover destruction of homes and property by landslides?
Both the policies are different. Earthquake policy does not cover damage caused by landslides and vice versa.
Which is the largest landslide in India till date?
The Malpa landslide is the largest landslide in India till date.
Name some of the human intrusions that cause landslides in India.
Deforestation, dynamic blasts, creating vibrations with big machines in hills are human intrusions that cause landslides in India.
Which part of India is the most prone to landslides?
The Himalayan Region is the most prone to landslides in India. The Northeastern region gets highly affected due to this natural calamity.