Urgent Need for Effective Landslide Early Warning Systems in India

Experts emphasize the necessity of an accurate early warning system (EWS) for landslides in India, correlating rainfall with landslide risk. Recent disasters in Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand highlight the urgency. Community efforts like Maharashtra's Satark project show potential but require broader implementation and formal ties with governments.

An accurate early warning system correlating rainfall and landslide potential is imperative, say experts, as recent rains create havoc in India's hill regions. In Kerala's Wayanad, landslides buried homes and possibly hundreds of people. Cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh washed away houses and roads, while heavy rain in Uttarakhand caused floods and house collapses.

The devastating rain-triggered incidents underline the need for a robust early warning system (EWS) based on empirical rainfall thresholds and systematic evacuation protocols. 'EWS identifies vulnerable areas and communities, establishes mitigation measures, including evacuation,' explained Nilmadhab Prusty from the Centre for Development and Disaster Management Support Services.

Despite some pilot projects and community-run efforts like Maharashtra's Satark, which showed a 76.5% success rate in landslide prediction, comprehensive and effective EWS implementation across India remains lacking. Experts call for broader government involvement and systematic approaches to mitigate future disasters.

(With inputs from agencies.)