In response to the catastrophic rainfall and floods that devastated Kerala in August 2018, scientists from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) conducted an exhaustive investigation. The findings revealed that a dangerous combination of destabilising geological processes, extreme rainfall events, and unscientific farming and construction activities is posing a grave threat to human habitation in Kerala’s highlands.
During an in-depth study of the landslide-prone areas in Kerala’s Thrissur and Kannur districts, researchers discovered large cracks spread across farmlands and residential buildings. Upon examination, it was found that the majority of the slopes were used for crop cultivation and farmers had blocked the natural drainage systems.
Dangers Looming Over the Highlands
The results of the study highlighted that land subsidence, lateral spread, and soil piping were imminent threats to life and property in the state’s uplands. Heavy, intense rainfall could trigger slope failure in areas already weakened by lateral spread and soil piping. Developmental activities such as road and building constructions in such vulnerable areas are urgently in need of remedial measures for slope stabilisation.
The research team also emphasised the need for a skilled task force in the highlands to monitor ground signals such as hollows, cracks, and water spouts, which often precede dangerous events like land subsidence, lateral spread, and landslides.
Action Taken by MoES
Based on the NCESS’s recommendations, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has taken proactive measures by initiating the establishment of a network of landslip monitoring stations in the region. Operating on acoustic emission technology, these units will provide an early warning system to alert local communities of impending danger.
Understanding Landslides
A landslide is defined as the downward movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth along a slope. Landslides, a type of ‘mass wasting’, are any down-slope movement of soil and rock influenced directly by gravity.
According to classification, there are five main types of landslides, each with unique characteristics and causes. These include falls, slides, topple, spread, and flow. Among these, rock falls and debris flow are the most frequently occurring types of landslides.
While landslides are deemed as disasters caused by natural elements, recent increases in their occurrence have been attributed to human-induced environmental changes.
Landslide Triggers
Natural causes of landslides encompass climatic changes, seismic activity, erosion, volcanic eruptions, and the process of weathering which weakens rocks and makes them susceptible to landslides. On the other hand, human activities like mining and deforestation have also significantly contributed to the increased incidence of landslides.
A Glimpse at NCESS
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Establishment | 1978 by Prof. C. Karunakaran. |
| Operational Body | Earth System Science Organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. |
| Purpose | To understand the earth and its processes to address the increasing demand for natural resources. |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. |
NCESS’s Goals and Objectives
NCESS was established with the objective of gaining comprehensive knowledge about the earth, its evolution, and the interactive processes that shape it. The organization promotes multidisciplinary research in emerging areas of solid earth sciences and utilizes this knowledge for practical applications in earth science.
Source: TH
