The specter of pre-monsoon floods and landslides in Assam and neighboring hilly regions presents a worrying picture. Even before the monsoons have arrived, Assam has been plagued by floods and landslides that have claimed 15 lives and affected over 7 lakh people. In particular, the hill district of Dima Hasao has suffered extensive damage. So why is this happening?
Factors Fueling the Devastation
The unexpected destruction seen in Assam can be attributed primarily to excessive pre-monsoon rainfall and climate change. The average rainfall for the period between 1st March and 20th May in Assam is usually 434.5 mm. However, this year it reached 719 mm, a whopping 65% more than the average. The neighboring state of Meghalaya recorded an even higher excess of 137%.
Climate change plays a significant role in altering the timing and scale of rainfall. With its advent, there has been an increase in concentrated rain and heavy rainfall episodes.
Landslides in the Pre-Monsoon Period
Landslides that occur before the monsoon season are primarily caused by unsuitable and unplanned infrastructural interventions on the fragile landscape of hills. Numerous factors contribute to this trend, such as rapid deforestation for the expansion of the railway line and the four-lane highway, rampant riverbed mining often done in coordination with district authorities, and hurried infrastructure development work in Assam and nearby states. Many roads are also built over streams and spring water sources.
A Path Forward
Infrastructure construction needs to be sensitive to the ecological fragility of the region. There’s a call for “conscious construction” and an “integrated holistic approach across state boundaries”. The key lies in incorporating traditional knowledge systems and engaging the local community to build sustainable infrastructure. It is also essential to move beyond blaming climate change and take responsibility for the environmental mess created on a ground level, which when combined with climate change, leads to severe disasters.
Understanding Landslides
A landslide is the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope, a type of mass wasting, indicating any downward motion of soil and rock under gravity’s direct influence. The term “landslide” includes five modes of slope movement: falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows.
Steps Undertaken
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has performed a national landslide susceptibility mapping for 85% of the whole 4,20,000 square km landslide-prone area in the nation. These areas are divided into zones based on the disaster’s propensity. Improving early warning systems, monitoring, and susceptibility zoning can lower the damage caused by landslides.
While the situation is undoubtedly worrying, the focus should be on conscious construction, involving local communities, and comprehensive assessment and planning to tackle such environmental disasters effectively.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024