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India, a country with varied physiographic and climatic conditions faces the vagaries of landslides frequently. Approximately 0.49 mill. sq. km or 15% of land area of the country is vulnerable to landslide hazard. Out of this, 0.098 mill. sq. km is located in Northeastern Region and rest 80% is spread over Himalayas, Nilgiris, Ranchi Plateau and Eastern and Western Ghats.

 

Geological Survey of India, one of the oldest surveys in the world, has been engaged in the study of this natural hazard for over 125 years.

  • Sir R. D. Oldham studied the problem of slope stability in 1880 in Nainital.
  • C. S. Middlemiss re-studied the Nainital area in 1890.
  • Gohana landslide that blocked the river Birehiganga in UP in 1893 was studied by T. H. Holland in detail.
  • Many such landslides blocking the courses of rivers including the recent landslide blocking the course of river Pare Chu in Chinese territory and posing danger to population inhabiting the downstream areas in Satluj valley in HP have been studied by the officers of the Survey during a period of more than a century.


Landslide Hazard Zones in India

The study of landslide hazard carried out in Geological Survey of India can be divided into two categories:

Pre Disaster Studies
Identification of vulnerable slopes through landslide hazard zonation (LHZ) mapping on various scales or studying the critical slopes individually and determine their status as far as their stability is concerned.

Post Disaster Studies
Detailed analysis of landslides that have occurred, determine the causes responsible for failure and suggest treatment measures required to stabilize the slopes.
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Updated on 5th March, 2007