Gajendra Singh Godara
Aug 29, 2025
15
mins read
Landslides in India are frequent in hilly and mountainous regions, causing loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and environmental damage. They are usually triggered by factors like heavy rainfall, earthquakes, snowmelt, or human activities (e.g. deforestation and unplanned construction).
Given India’s varied topography – from the Himalayas in the north to the Western Ghats in the south – understanding landslide causes and implementing effective disaster management is crucial. This article breaks down the causes, effects, high-risk areas, and prevention measures for landslides, with a special focus on facts relevant for UPSC aspirants.
At least 30 people were killed and many injured after heavy rains triggered a massive landslide on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route in Jammu’s Trikuta Hills (Reasi district) in August 2025.
11 died in a landslide during Manimahesh Yatra as relentless rainfall battered Himachal Pradesh on Monday, triggering landslides and flash floods that brought the state to a standstill.
Table of content
Landslides: Landslides are a geological phenomenon that involves the sudden and rapid movement of a mass of rock, soil, or debris down a slope under the influence of gravity.
Rock Flow or Rock Avalanches – a specific type of landslide or mass movement involving the flow of rock material downslope.
Types of Landslides:
Falls – Free fall of rock or debris from a steep slope or cliff.
Topples – Forward rotation of a rock mass out of a slope.
Slides – Downslope movement along a distinct surface (plane or curved).
Flows – Fluid-like movement of soil, debris, or mud.
Creep – Slow, gradual downslope movement of soil or rock.
Characteristics of Landslide Prone Areas
Landslides, usually, occur in areas having one or more of the following characteristics:
Steep terrain such as hilly or mountainous areas.
Presence of joints and fissures.
Presence of loosely-packed or weathered material
Any area that has been burned by wildfires
Any area that has been modified due to human activities, such as deforestation or construction
Channels along a river-stream
Any area where surface runoff is directed or land is heavily saturated with water.
Landslide-Prone Areas in India
1. Himalayan Region
States: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Northeast hills.
Features:
Steep slopes, fragile young fold mountains.
Frequent earthquakes + intense monsoon rainfall.
Triggers: ~73% of landslides here are caused by heavy rain & low soil absorption.
Hotspots: Rudraprayag & Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand) – most landslide-prone (ISRO’s Landslide Atlas).
2. Western Ghats
Spread: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra.
Features:
Older, less steep hills but extremely high monsoon rainfall.
Lateritic soil cap prone to erosion & slope failure.
Data: Kerala recorded 2,239 landslides (2015–2022) – highest in India.
Risk: Frequent landslides in deforested or cultivated slopes.
3. Other Regions
Northeast: Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland – landslides due to seismicity, heavy rainfall, fragile terrain.
Southern Hills: Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu), Eastern Ghats – localized risks.
Other: Some flatter areas (e.g. Western Maharashtra) face slope failures during extreme rainfall.
Extent of Risk: Nearly 12.6% of India’s land area is prone to landslides. According to GSI, around 0.42 million square km, especially in the Himalayas, Northeast, and Western Ghats, fall in high-risk zones.
States with Highest Incidence: Data from 2015–2022 shows Kerala had the most reported landslides (2,239 incidents) followed by West Bengal (376), Tamil Nadu (196), Karnataka (194), and Jammu & Kashmir (184). (Kerala’s figure is high due to the 2018 and 2019 landslide swarms during floods.)
Climate Change Impact: Studies indicate rising extreme rainfall events in parts of India will likely increase landslide frequency. Himalayan glaciers melting can form more glacial lakes, raising GLOF risks. Warmer temperatures can also destabilize permafrost in high Himalayas, contributing to slope failures.
For more information on GLOFs check our blog : Glacial Lake Outburst Floods(GLOFs), Meaning, Causes, Effects & Mitigation Strategies - PadhAI
Image Credit : The Hindu
Natural Causes
Heavy Rainfall
Most common triggers in India.
Saturates soil → reduces cohesion → slope failure.
Cloudbursts, monsoon extremes, flash floods.
For further reading and related UPSC notes, check out PadhAI’s blogs on Flash Floods Flash Floods in India: Meaning, Cloudburst, Causes & Impacts
Terrain & Geology
Steep slopes, fragile/young fold mountains (Himalayas).
Loose soil, fractured rocks, moraines.
Erosion by rivers undercutting slopes.
Snowmelt & Glacial Factors
Rapid snowmelt in the Himalayas adds water to slopes.
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) trigger debris flows.
Seismic Activity
Earthquakes destabilize slopes; frequent in Himalayan & NE states.
Landslides often accompany quakes (e.g., 2015 Nepal quake).
Volcanic Activity (rare in India)
Possible in Andaman Islands due to volcanic terrain.
Anthropogenic Causes
Deforestation & Land Use Change
Removal of vegetation → loss of root binding.
Agriculture, shifting cultivation, plantations → exposed slopes.
Unplanned Construction & Mining
Road cutting, blasting, quarrying → slope destabilization.
Building on steep hills without retaining structures.
Poor Drainage & Irrigation
Blocked/altered natural drainage concentrates water.
Leaky pipes or canals saturate slopes over time.
Overgrazing
Strips slopes of protective grass cover → erosion.
Climate Change Factor
Increase in extreme rainfall events.
Melting Himalayan glaciers forming unstable lakes.
More frequent cloudbursts and intense monsoon episodes.
Himalayas vs Western Ghats – Why More Landslides Up North?
The Himalayas are more landslide-prone due to tectonic factors (active earthquakes and young rock formations) and glacial/snow influences, while Western Ghats landslides are mostly rain-triggered on older but rain-drenched slopes. The Himalayas have much steeper slopes and unconsolidated debris (moraines) that slide easily, whereas Western Ghats have gentler slopes but face intense monsoons. Human-driven deforestation affects both, but is especially severe in Himalayan states (e.g. road building in Uttarakhand). In summary, climate triggers dominate in the south, while a combination of geology and climate make the north more hazardous.
1. Human Impacts
Loss of Life: Sudden slope failures bury people; thousands killed in events like Kedarnath (2013).
Property Damage: Homes, farms, and settlements destroyed within minutes.
Displacement: Entire villages evacuated or permanently abandoned.
2. Infrastructure Damage
Transport Disruption: Roads, railways, highways blocked (e.g., Jammu–Srinagar highway).
Utilities Affected: Collapse of pipelines, power lines, communication networks.
Economic Losses: Repair/relief costs run into crores annually.
3. Environmental Effects
Soil Erosion: Fertile topsoil lost, land degradation.
Deforestation: Trees uprooted, vegetation stripped.
Water Pollution: Siltation of rivers/lakes affecting aquatic ecosystems.
4. Secondary Disasters
Flood Risk: Landslide debris can dam rivers, later breaching to cause flash floods.
Debris Flows: Mud and boulders swept downstream, increasing destruction.
Future Vulnerability: Scarred slopes prone to repeated erosion and failures.
5. Socio-Economic Impacts
Livelihood Loss: Agriculture, tourism, and trade disrupted.
Psychological Stress: Trauma among survivors; fear of recurrence.
Community Relocation: Chronic landslide zones force migration.
Managing landslide disasters requires preparedness, early warning, and effective response:
Disaster Management Approach
Early Warning Systems (EWS):
Rainfall thresholds, ground sensors, real-time monitoring.
ISRO’s Landslide Atlas of India & GSI hazard maps.
Preparedness:
Mock drills, evacuation plans, designated shelters.
Training of community volunteers, school awareness.
Response:
NDRF, SDRF, Army-led rescue & relief operations.
Quick restoration of transport & utilities.
Institutional & Policy Framework
NDMA guidelines (2009)
Set national do’s/don’ts: hazard assessment, zonation, structural and non‑structural measures, roles and funding.
Push awareness and preparedness at community level; integrate landslide safety into local plans.
National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019)
End‑to‑end plan: hazard mapping, monitoring/EWS, awareness, capacity building, regulations, and slope stabilization.
Aligns agencies and budgets for multi‑year mitigation and standardised protocols.
Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS) / Programme (NLRMP)
Central funding for site‑specific stabilization of chronic and high‑risk slopes; supports prevention, mitigation and R&D.
Scales to multiple states with common DPR templates, expert appraisal, and monitoring.
Risk Mapping of Hilly Areas:
The Geological Survey of India and the Ministry of Mines have completed landslide susceptibility mapping of 4.3 lakh sq. km of major landslide prone areas under the National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) Programme, focusing on site-specific investigations for remedial measures.
Space and geoscience support
Landslide Atlas of India (ISRO/NRSC) maps events and susceptibility to guide planning and siting.
GSI’s National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping provides state/district‑level zonation for codes and controls.
Early‑warning and hydromet linkages
Rainfall‑threshold and soil‑moisture models feed automated alerts (SMS/app/sirens) for timely evacuation.
Flood‑EWS pilots and digital elevation maps support hill‑corridor closures and village warnings when triggers are upstream.
State and district disaster management
SDMAs/DDMAs enforce hill building codes, land‑use controls, and regulated excavation/mining in high‑risk zones.
Lead Village Action Plans, drills, and upkeep of local drains/slope works with PRIs/ULBs.
Community Role
Awareness of warning signs (cracks, tilted trees, unusual water seepage).
Participatory slope maintenance & drainage upkeep.
Local reporting of early slope instability.
Preventing landslides (or at least reducing their impact) involves a mix of engineering and environmental measures:
Engineering measures
Retaining/gabion walls, slope terracing and benching; rock bolting, soil nailing, geotextiles/geogrids; robust surface–subsurface drainage with culverts, interceptor channels and slope drains; catch dams and debris-flow barriers at gullies and toes.
Bioengineering and ecosystem measures
Afforestation/reforestation and assisted natural regeneration; deep‑rooted grasses (e.g., vetiver), bamboo hedges, contour planting, mulching and coir matting; re‑vegetation of degraded/deforested slopes and riparian buffers to reduce runoff and erosion.
Land‑use planning and regulation
Strict hill‑area building codes, controlled excavation and slope angle limits; bans/restrictions on quarrying, hill‑cutting and mining in high‑risk zones; use of detailed hazard zonation and susceptibility maps to guide siting, retrofitting and relocation.
Monitoring and mapping
Ground instruments (inclinometers, extensometers/strain gauges, piezometers) for slope movement and pore‑pressure tracking; periodic UAV/drone surveys and field crack mapping; GIS‑based susceptibility/hazard zonation and inventory mapping.
Early warning systems
Rainfall‑threshold and soil‑moisture models linked to real‑time telemetry; automated alerts (SMS/app/sirens) for threshold exceedance; community‑based observation networks trained to flag precursors (fresh cracks, tilted trees, muddy springs).
Institutional framework and integration
Multi‑agency roles for satellite/remote sensing, national/state geological surveys, and disaster management authorities to standardize mapping, monitoring, and alerts; financing windows for site‑specific mitigation and capacity building; alignment of local works with district disaster management plans.
Community preparedness and maintenance
Participatory upkeep of drains and slope protections before and during monsoon; reporting early signs of instability and following evacuation protocols; livelihood and skill support to reduce risky land use on steep slopes.
Q. Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and the Western Ghats. (2021)
Q. The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.’ Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation. (2016)
Q1. Which areas in India are most prone to landslides?
A: The most landslide prone areas are the Himalayan belt (J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Northeast hills) due to steep young mountains and high rainfall, and the Western Ghats (Kerala, Karnataka, TN, Maharashtra) due to heavy monsoon rains on steep slopes. Other hilly areas like Nilgiris and Eastern Ghats also have localized risk.
Q2. What are the main causes of landslides in India?
A: The primary trigger is heavy rainfall that saturates soil. Other causes include earthquakes (in seismic zones), rapid snow/glacial melt in mountains, deforestation and hill cutting by humans, poor drainage, and construction that destabilizes slopes. Gravity on steep slopes underlies all these triggers.
Q3. How can we reduce and prevent landslide disasters?
A: Key measures include: slope stabilization engineering (retaining walls, proper drainage systems), reforestation of bare hills to bind soil, regulating construction and quarrying in risk zones, installing early warning systems (rain gauges, sensors) to evacuate in time, and educating communities. Avoiding encroachment on steep vulnerable slopes is the best prevention.
Q4. Does climate change affect landslides?
A: Yes. Climate change is leading to more intense and erratic rainfall, which can trigger more landslides. In the Himalayas, warming is causing glacier retreat and the formation of unstable lakes, increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (a type of landslide-related flood). Thus, climate change is expected to worsen landslide frequency and severity in India’s hills.
Landslides in India pose a persistent challenge, intersecting the domains of geography, ecology, and human development. As seen, the causes of landslides range from natural factors like geology, rainfall, and earthquakes to human-induced factors like deforestation and unplanned construction. The effects of landslides are far-reaching – loss of lives, economic setbacks, and environmental degradation. However, through informed policy and community action, much can be done to mitigate this hazard. Mapping and monitoring of landslide prone areas in India allow for early warnings and better land-use planning, while engineering solutions combined with ecosystem restoration can stabilize vulnerable slopes. Ultimately, sustainable development in hilly regions – respecting nature’s limits – is key to reducing landslide disasters.
Internal Linking Suggestions
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods(GLOFs), Meaning, Causes, Effects & Mitigation Strategies
Tsunami UPSC, Meaning, Characteristics, Causes, Impacts & Mitigation Measures
How to Begin Your UPSC Preparation : The Ultimate Guide For Beginners
UPSC Previous Year Question Papers with Answers PDF - Prelims & Mains (2014-2024)
External Linking Suggestions
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Press Information Bureau – Government Announcements: https://pib.gov.in/
NCERT Official Website – Standard Books for UPSC: https://ncert.nic.in
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