Landslides comparision of diffrent regions ?

 

Landslides are natural disasters occurring mainly in mountainous terrains where there are conducive conditions of soil, rock, geology and slope. A sudden movement of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope is termed as a landslide. Natural causes that trigger it include heavy rainfall, earthquakes, snowmelting and undercutting of slopes due to flooding. Landslides can also be caused by anthropogenic activities such as excavation, cutting of hills and trees, excessive infrastructure development, and overgrazing by cattle.

Landslides occur in various mountainous regions in India , including the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, Himalayas, and Central Himalayas. While all these regions are prone to landslides, there are certain differences in terms of their occurrence and characteristics. Here's a comparison of these regions with examples:

1. Western Ghats:

The Western Ghats in India are a mountain range running parallel to the western coast of the Indian subcontinent. Landslides in the Western Ghats are primarily triggered by heavy rainfall, steep slopes, and geological factors. One notable example is the 2018 Kozhikode landslide in Kerala, where heavy rains led to a massive landslide that caused significant damage and loss of life.

2. Eastern Ghats:

The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous range of mountains along India's eastern coast. While landslides are less common in the Eastern Ghats compared to the Western Ghats, they still occur due to similar factors such as heavy rainfall and geological conditions. An example is the 2020 landslides in Odisha, where torrential rains caused landslides in several districts, leading to casualties and disruptions.

3. Eastern Himalayas:

The Eastern Himalayas encompass parts of India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar. This region is characterized by high mountain peaks and complex geological structures, making it prone to landslides. In 2017, a massive landslide occurred in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, where heavy rains triggered the collapse of a hillside, damaging infrastructure and causing casualties.

4. Himalayas:

The Himalayas are a vast mountain range spanning several countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan. Landslides in the Himalayas are common due to various factors such as steep slopes, tectonic activity, and intense monsoon rains. In 2013, the Uttarakhand floods in India were triggered by heavy rainfall and landslides in the Kedarnath region, resulting in widespread devastation and loss of life.

5. Central Himalayas:

The Central Himalayas refer to the central portion of the Himalayan range. This region also experiences frequent landslides due to factors like high elevation, rugged terrain, and seismic activity. In 2021, a landslide occurred in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India, when a portion of a glacier broke off, triggering an avalanche and leading to significant destruction downstream.

It's important to note that these examples are just a few instances, and landslides can occur in various locations within these mountainous regions. The occurrence and severity of landslides depend on several factors, including climate, geology, topography, and human activities.