Experts argue that reactive measures are no longer enough. They demand a shift towards critical proactive, mitigation-focused strategies.
Published Aug 06, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 06, 2024 | 12:31 PM
Rescue workers have expanded their search to more areas. (Supplied)
Even as authorities expanded the search for people buried in the devastating series of landslides at Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala, experts and disaster management officials called for an immediate, in-depth investigation into the causes that triggered the tragedy.
The Wayanad district in Kerala witnessed the state’s worst-ever natural disaster on 30 July when massive landslides triggered by torrential rains wiped away villages and several lives from the face of the earth.
Experts argued that reactive measures were no longer enough, and demanded a shift towards critical proactive, mitigation-focused strategies.
Officials highlighted the need for a detailed analysis of several key aspects to avert future disasters.
They included scrutinising aborted landslides in the region, assessing current land-use patterns including the impact of plantations, and conducting an in-depth study to determine the region’s rainfall threshold.
It was learnt that the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) would soon start preparing a disaster report and disaster memoranda on the 30 July mass wasting.
According to an official of the Kerala State Land Use Board (KSLUB), one key focus would be aborted landslides.
“Understanding the phenomenon of aborted landslides is crucial. They are essentially ‘warnings’ by the mountain. By understanding the factors that cause them, we can identify high-risk areas and implement preventive measures,” a KSLUB official told South First.
“These are landslides that begin but do not fully occur, leaving slopes precariously unstable. Studying this phenomenon can provide crucial insights into the underlying geological conditions and trigger points for larger-scale disasters,” he explained.
The official pointed out that the origin of the present landslides, Punchirimattom, had witnessed landslides previously and the chances of aborted landslides were worth examination.
Meanwhile, a KSDMA source said that the landslides in affected areas also brought to light a complex interplay between plantation agriculture, soil stability, and land-use patterns.
“Plantations, particularly those involving monoculture crops like tea, coffee, and rubber, have been known to alter soil profiles significantly. The deep-rooted vegetation that typically stabilises soil is often replaced by shallow-rooted crops,” he said.
“This change in root structure can reduce the soil’s ability to hold together, making it more susceptible to erosion and landslides,” he further said.
“Soil profiles in plantation areas often show signs of degradation. Heavy rainfalls can wash away the topsoil, rich in organic matter, leaving behind a less fertile subsoil. This not only affects the productivity of the land but also its structural integrity,” he explained.
“Without the intricate network of roots to bind the soil, slopes become prone to slippage, especially during the monsoon season,” he added.
“Chooralmala and the adjacent areas were once dense forests. Later, the forests in these environmentally sensitive areas were destroyed for tea plantations, houses, and resorts. Now there are more tea plantations and other structures,” Dr Dr Sainudeen Patazhy, president of the Kerala Environmental Researchers Association, said.
“In an environmentally sensitive area, activities that cannot be sustained have been carried out. The epicenter of the landslide stands at an altitude of 1,983 metres and the soil structure has changed due to human intervention on the slopes,” he told South First.
He pointed out that no construction work should have been carried out on the slopes of such areas.
“No construction work should be carried out on the hill slopes side in this type of area. Vibrations caused by granite quarries in nearby areas have certainly caused changes in the ground at the epicenters of landslides and elsewhere, resulting in the loss of strong bonding between soil and rock,” he said.
“When these kinds of changes came, geostatic and lithostatic pressures under the earth increased when heavy rains came, underground faults and cracks occurred. There was an imbalance in nature and then the rains triggered the landslides,” he explained.
Patazhy suggested establishing a core zone in the area where construction activities or human interventions should be prohibited. However, he said that scientific construction and cultivation in non-core areas with the permission of the government could be allowed.
The changing land-use patterns in Wayanad also warranted a thorough examination.
Rapid urbanisation, deforestation, and agricultural practices have significantly altered the natural landscape. These changes exacerbated the vulnerability of certain areas to landslides.
By analysing historical and current land-use patterns, experts could identify high-risk zones and recommend sustainable land management practices.
“It is imperative to analyse these patterns to identify areas that are particularly vulnerable,” a KSDMA official said.
Determining the threshold limits—specific conditions under which landslides could likely occur—would be another critical aspect. Factors such as soil saturation, slope angle, and vegetation cover influence these limits.
Accurate identification of these thresholds could aid in the development of early warning systems and targeted mitigation strategies.
“We need to move beyond simply responding to disasters,” the official emphasised.
“A proactive approach that focuses on understanding the underlying causes and implementing preventive measures is the only way to ensure long-term safety and resilience,” he said.
“In-depth studies and scientific research will equip us with the knowledge to better predict, prepare, and mitigate the impacts of landslides,” he added.
Meanwhile, the most poignant aspect of the landslide crisis is its impact on vulnerable communities living near rivers and on unstable slopes.
With the state government planning to implement a comprehensive rehabilitation package, including developing a township for the survivors, officials suggested that these vulnerable communities would also be kept in mind.
“When a landslide strikes, these communities are often the hardest hit, losing homes, livelihoods, and, in some cases, lives. The lack of proper land-use planning and enforcement of safety regulations exacerbates their vulnerability, a Revenue Department official said.
“Policies must also address the social dimension of this issue. Relocation programs for communities in high-risk areas, coupled with financial assistance and support for rebuilding, are crucial. Empowering local communities with knowledge about sustainable land-use practices and disaster preparedness can also help mitigate the risks,” he added.
Disaster Management Department sources said that along with studying the Wayanad landslides, those at Vilangadu in Kozhikode and the hilly areas in Palakkad would also be studied.
“In the case of Wayanad, the operations of quarries can’t be cited as a reason, because there were no quarries near the place of the incident. But Puthumala, which witnessed a devastating landslide in 2019, is nearby. It will have to examine whether that incident triggered the current one,” a source said.
On 8 August 2019, a landslide that hit Puthumala killed 12 people. Five others have been missing to date and were believed to be buried in the debris.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the latest series of landslides touched 235, even as media reports said it has crossed 360.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
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