Source-This post on Investigation into the Wayanad Landslide has been created based on the article “‘Dam burst effect’ caused Wayanad landslide, say experts” published in “The Hindu” on 16 August 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Disaster and Disaster Management.
Context- On July 30, a massive landslide struck Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district, destroying three villages. Geologists have found that the landslide’s origin area is uninhabitable, but Chooralmala can still be rebuilt. The NCESC team is doing more studies, such as soil and seismic tests, and will give a final report to the Kerala government when they are finished.
What are the Causes of the Landslide?
1) Heavy Rainfall and Damming Effect- Geologists from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESC) found that the landslide was caused by heavy rainfall creating a temporary dam in a remote, forested area. The region received 570 mm of rain, which waterlogged the hill and led to the landslide.
2) Formation and Collapse of the Natural Dam: – Heavy rain saturated the soil, creating a temporary dam at Seethammakundu. By July 30 morning, the dam collapsed under the pressure, sending a huge surge of mud, debris, and trees downhill and causing the landslide that destroyed villages about 6.5 km away.
A detailed article on Wayanad Landslide- Causes, impact and management of Landslides in India can be read here.
What are the Ongoing Search Efforts?
1) Current Status- The government has split the search area into five sectors for better coverage. Central and state forces, sniffer dogs, scouts, and divers are all involved. Currently, 118 people are still missing. Teams are searching through mud and debris in the Iruvanipuzha river upstream and the Chaliyar river downstream.
2) Safety Precautions-The government advised volunteers not to search alone due to poor mobile reception in the forested areas, which increases the risk of getting lost or trapped.
Conclusion- The Wayanad landslide has shown how vulnerable dense forests and remote areas are to extreme weather. Ongoing investigations and search efforts are important to understanding the disaster and helping affected families.
Question for practice
What are the causes of the landslide, and what are the current search and rescue efforts?
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