India’s Vulnerability to Landslides (as per ISRO’s Landslide Atlas of India)
1 Global Ranking: India ranks among the top five countries globally prone to landslides, witnessing at least one death per 100 sq km annually due to such events.
2 Primary Cause: Rainfall variability, particularly in the Himalayas and Western Ghats, stands as the predominant cause of landslides in India.
3 Geographical Vulnerability: Excluding snow-covered areas, over 12% of the country’s geographical land area is susceptible to landslides.
4 Regional Breakdown:
1 Over 66% of landslides occur in the North-western Himalayas.
1 Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand have the highest landslide density and landslide risk exposure in the country.
2 About 19% are reported in the North-eastern Himalayas.
3 The Western Ghats contribute to over 14% of landslide events.
5 Impact in the Western Ghats: Despite fewer occurrences, landslides in the Western Ghats pose significant risks, especially in Kerala, making inhabitants vulnerable to fatalities.
1 Global Ranking: India ranks among the top five countries globally prone to landslides, witnessing at least one death per 100 sq km annually due to such events.
2 Primary Cause: Rainfall variability, particularly in the Himalayas and Western Ghats, stands as the predominant cause of landslides in India.
3 Geographical Vulnerability: Excluding snow-covered areas, over 12% of the country’s geographical land area is susceptible to landslides.
4 Regional Breakdown:
1 Over 66% of landslides occur in the North-western Himalayas.
1 Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand have the highest landslide density and landslide risk exposure in the country.
2 About 19% are reported in the North-eastern Himalayas.
3 The Western Ghats contribute to over 14% of landslide events.
5 Impact in the Western Ghats: Despite fewer occurrences, landslides in the Western Ghats pose significant risks, especially in Kerala, making inhabitants vulnerable to fatalities.