BK Singh
Landslides in the past ten years have spelled disaster in India at several places highlighting the vulnerability of the country’s mountainous regions to such natural disasters, especially during the monsoon season.
Disregarding nature by the people, the apathy of governments with unending and unchecked deforestation all combined is taking its toll.
An analysis and ground reality show that people and governments tend to forget such calamities soon even after such occurrences are taking place every year.
People, governments, and social organizations announce the planting of a number of trees with numbers. Newspapers carry photographs and write-ups only to be forgotten within days.
Summers this year in India have probably left their last warning to the people that look enough is enough. Plant trees around and ensure their growth. Don’t spread pollution and respect nature.
Cloud bursts and floods due to heavy rainfall cannot be stopped but landslides can be prevented to a large extent with trees that hold the earth’s crust tightly.
A devastating landslide and flash floods occurred in the Kedarnath valley of Uttarakhand, leading to the death of over 5,000 people in June 13. Heavy rains and cloudbursts triggered the disaster, which also caused massive destruction of infrastructure and property.
Then a massive landslide struck the Malin village in the Pune district of Maharashtra on July 14, burying around 150 houses and claiming more than 150 lives.
A major landslide occurred in Manipur’s Chandel district, killing at least 20 people in August 2015. The landslide was triggered by heavy monsoon rains and blocked a major highway.
In August 2017, a series of landslides struck Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare district, killing at least 30 people. Incessant rains had led to the disaster.
In August 2019, a major landslide hit the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, killing at least 14 people. The landslide also damaged several vehicles and homes.
A deadly landslide occurred in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district, in 2021 claiming at least 46 lives. The incident was triggered by heavy rainfall in the region.
