{"id":112558,"date":"2026-07-11T11:21:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T05:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=112558"},"modified":"2026-07-11T11:21:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T05:51:22","slug":"towards-a-robust-landslide-early-warning-system-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/towards-a-robust-landslide-early-warning-system-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Towards a Robust Landslide Early Warning System in India"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Landslide Early Warning System Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/landslides\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">landslides<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Western Ghats (that struck the under-construction twin tunnel project in Wayanad, Kerala) and other parts of India have renewed focus on the urgent need for <\/span><b>effective <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">landslide early warning systems (<\/span><b>LEWS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts argue that <\/span><b>scientific forecasting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, coupled with timely evacuation, can significantly reduce casualties in highly vulnerable regions such as the Western Ghats and the Himalayas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Why Early Warning Systems Matter<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Landslides are <\/span><b>predictable <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to a considerable extent, particularly in identified high-risk zones.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early warning systems enable timely evacuation, <\/span><b>reducing loss <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of life and property.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Countries such as <\/span><b>Switzerland <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have successfully prevented casualties through advance warnings and planned evacuations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In India, the 2024 Munnar landslides (Kerala) demonstrated the effectiveness of an early warning system, where evacuations based on scientific advice prevented fatalities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India&#8217;s landslide vulnerability:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the National Disaster Management Authority (<\/span><b>NDMA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), around <\/span><b>13<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">% of India&#8217;s landmass (0.42 million sq km) is prone to landslides.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Himalayan region and the Western Ghats are the most vulnerable zones.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li aria-level=\"2\"><b>Highly vulnerable regions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand), Mandi and Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), Aizawl region (Mizoram), and parts of Manipur.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li aria-level=\"2\"><b>Relatively less vulnerable:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><b>Sikkim<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, despite frequent attention, has comparatively lower vulnerability because road networks are less extensive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced mountain cutting and slope disturbance improve <\/span><b>geological stability.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Major Approaches to Landslide Forecasting<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Sensor-based monitoring system:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developed by research groups such as Amrita University, this method involves installing sensors at high-risk slopes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Key instruments: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tilt meters, pressure gauges, accelerometers, ground movement and vibration sensors.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Working mechanism:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sensors continuously monitor slope stability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When readings exceed predefined safety thresholds, warnings are issued to local authorities for evacuation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Advantages:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Scientifically robust and highly accurate. Provides sufficient lead time for evacuation. Successfully tested in Kerala.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Limitations:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Monitors only the instrumented slope. Cannot predict landslides on nearby, unmonitored slopes. Installation and maintenance involve significant costs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Probabilistic forecasting model:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developed by IIT Mandi, this approach predicts landslide probability across large regions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Methodology:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uses satellite-based mapping of historical landslides.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Integrates <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">localised rainfall forecasts, soil characteristics, rock stability, slope gradient, and population density.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employs 7\u201310 rainfall-derived parameters for each location.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Validation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Successfully validated against around 80 actual landslides in the Himalayan region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Advantages: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Covers extensive geographical areas, including remote locations. Identifies multiple vulnerable sites simultaneously.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Limitations:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dependent on high-resolution rainfall forecasts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Current <\/span><b>rainfall predictions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are available only one day in advance, limiting lead time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improved forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) could significantly enhance predictive capability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Towards a Comprehensive National Landslide Warning System<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts believe India can develop an effective nationwide LEWS <\/span><b>within two years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, provided adequate resources and institutional support are available.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Priority actions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify high-frequency, high-impact landslide zones. Prepare detailed hazard zonation and risk maps. Install sensor networks at the most vulnerable locations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Integrate: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Satellite monitoring, sensor-based observations, high-resolution weather forecasting, and GIS and remote sensing technologies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthen coordination:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Among IMD, NDMA, Geological Survey of India (GSI), State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and local administrations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Challenges and Way Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Absence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Of comprehensive mapping of high-risk landslide hotspots. Develop an <\/span><b>integrated <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Landslide Early Warning System combining sensor-based monitoring with probabilistic forecasting models.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Limited deployment of sensor networks:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Expand landslide susceptibility mapping using remote sensing, GIS and AI-based analytics.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dependence on short-term rainfall forecasts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Accelerate development of high-resolution rainfall forecasting by IMD.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>High costs of monitoring infrastructure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prioritise vulnerable infrastructure, transport corridors and densely populated hill settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Need<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: For greater inter-agency coordination and sustained investment. Promote community awareness, evacuation drills and local disaster preparedness.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme rainfall events, landslides are becoming a growing disaster risk in India.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A combination of above suggestions can transform landslide management from <\/span><b>reactive relief to proactive risk reduction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, saving lives and protecting critical infrastructure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-sci-tech\/amid-western-ghats-landslides-revisiting-need-for-developing-early-warning-systems-10781310\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><b>IE<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recent landslides in the Western Ghats and other parts of India have renewed focus on the urgent need for effective landslide early warning systems (LEWS).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":112565,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[8625],"class_list":["post-112558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","tag-landslide-early-warning-system","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112558"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112558\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":112573,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112558\/revisions\/112573"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}