Disaster Awareness Centre Kashmir, is
a core group initiated by esro Kashmir Environment Node in
association with International Disaster Mitigation Centre to enhance
the capabilities of the community for disaster Awareness. DAC is to
produce manuals and guidelines; formulate policy and disaster
Awareness strategy proposals to reduce death and sufferings due to
earthquakes and other natural hazards in the world's most vulnerable
regional (Kashmir) through advocacy, preparedness, prevention and
mitigation.
LANDSLIDES
HAZARDS AND DISASTERS
LANDSLIDES
–
refers to rapid downslope movement
of slippery masses of soil or rock down mountain slopes or river
banks. Gravity constantly pulls downward every material
everywhere on the earth, causing a variety of phenomenon
collectively referred as mass wasting.
Onset Type and Warning:
Though they occur gradually,
however sudden failure (sliding) can occur without warning. They
may take place in combination with earthquakes, floods and
volcanoes. There are no clearly established warnings in place
indicating occurrence of landslide and hence difficult to
predict the actual occurrence. Areas of high risk can be
determined by use of Information on geology, hydrology,
vegetation cover, past occurrence and consequences in the
region.
CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES :
Geological Weak material:
weathered materials, jointed or fissured materials, contrast in
permeability and contrast in stiffness (stiff, dense material
over plastic materials).
Erosion: Wave erosion of slope toe, glacial erosion of slope
toe, subterranean erosion (Deposition loading slope or its
crest, Vegetation removal).
Intense rainfall: Storms that produce intense rainfall for
periods as short as several hours or have a more moderate
intensity lasting several days have
triggered abundant landslides.
Human Excavation of slope and its toe, Loading of slope/toe,
draw down in reservoir, mining, deforestation, irrigation,
vibration/blast, Water leakage from services.
Earthquake shaking has triggered landslides in many different
topographic and geologic settings. Rock falls, soil slides and
rockslides from steep slopes involving relatively thin or
shallow dis-aggregated soils or rock, or both have been the most
abundant types of landslides triggered by historical
earthquakes.
Volcanic eruption Deposition of
loose volcanic ash on hillsides commonly is followed by
accelerated erosion and frequent mud or debris flows triggered
by intense rainfall.
Element at Risk :
The most common elements at risk
are the settlements built on the steep slopes, built at the toe
and those built at the mouth of the streams emerging from the
mountain valley. All those buildings constructed without
appropriate foundation for a given soil and in sloppy areas are
also at risk. Roads, communication line and buried utilities are
vulnerable.
Kashmir Landslides :
Landslide constitute a major
natural hazard in Kashmir, which accounts for considerable loss
of life and damage to communication routes, human settlements,
agricultural fields and forest lands. The Jammu & Kashmir State
, with diverse physiographic, seismotectonic and climatological
conditions is subjected to varying degree of landslide hazards;
the Himalayas including Northeastern mountains ranges being the
worst affected. Removal of vegetation and toe erosion have also
triggered slides . Human intervention by way of slope
modification has added to this effect.
Highest snowfall recorded in the
last 30 years in J & K region has been 4.5 m in February-1996 in
Banihal and 8.4 m in February-1967 in Gulmarg. However, in 2004
snow accumulation upto 40 ft at several places in different
districts. Incidences of landslides/avalanches have been
reported at several places .
In Waltango Disaster 278 persons
(including 24 security forces/GREF personnel) lost their lives
due to snowfall and avalanches. 12, 000 houses (approx) were
damaged affecting approximately 2.35 lakhs population. Rabi crop
and the plantations have suffered extensive damage. Anantnag,
Doda, Pulwama and Poonch are among the worst affected districts.
Targetting
on accurate avalanche forecasting in hills of Jammu and Kashmir
and Himachal Pradesh (HP), 16 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSS)
have been linked to the recently-launched avalanche forcasting
satellite, Metsat in northern India.
Sixteen Automatic Weather Stations
(AWSS) were linked to metsat for accurate avalanche forecasting
and warnings in J and K and HP hills recently.
There are 35 surface observatory networks covering J and K and
parts of HP for weather forcasting, avalanche warnings and other
information adding in addition to it, quality data from 16 AWSS
has been put on metsat for broader usage.
Avalanche forcast warnings for areas of J and K including
Siachen, Kargil, Mushkoh valley, Shamshaban range and Pir Panjal
ranges besides HP areas covering Manali, Rohtang, Patseo were
currently being issued regularly three days in advance with good
accuracy for use by Army as well as civilian population.
Not only this, fly-through models using optical imageries and
survey of Indian maps were developed and demonstrated to users
for familiarizing the troops for safe conduct during winter
months in J and K, particularly in Kargil- Siachen sector.
Zone
Significance of Landslides :
High: The area is well known for
the danger of landslides, and for the perennial threat to life
and property. Restrictions on all new constructions and adoption
of improved land use and management practices deserve to be
encouraged. Investments on landslide
remediation measures,
on public education and on early warning systems are strongly
indicated. This is a zone in which landslides have
occurred in the past and are already to be expected in the
future. New constructions in this zone should be strictly
regulated and construction should be done only after proper site
investigation and implementation of appropriate remedial
package. Before the new construction projects are cleared in
this zone, environment impact assessment should be made
mandatory.
Moderate to Low: Engineered and well-regulated new construction
activities and well-planned agricultural practices could be
permitted. All construction activities should however be based
on technically evaluated and certified plans by established
institutions and authorized consultants.
Unlikely: No visible sign of slope instability are seen in this
zone in the present stage of knowledge. No blanket restriction
needs to be imposed on various land use practices provided they
confirm to the prevailing building regulations and bye-laws.
Location specific limitations may become necessary for
high-density urban areas. Snow covered areas
Typical Effects :
Physical Damage: Landslides
destroy anything that comes in their path. They block or bury
roads, lines of communication, settlements, river flow,
agricultural land, etc. It also includes loss to agricultural
production and land area. In addition physical effects such as
flooding may also occur.
Casualties: They cause maximum fatalities depending on the place
and time of occurrence. Catastrophic landsides have killed many
thousands of persons, such as the debris slide on the slopes of
Waltangu in South Kashmir triggered by heay snowfall in 2004,
which killed over 378 persons (including 24 security forces/GREF
personnel) and affecting approximately 2.35 lakhs population.
Debris Flows or Mudslides
Fast-moving flows of mud and rock,
called debris flows or mudslides, are among the most numerous
and dangerous types of landslides in the world. They are
particularly dangerous to life and property because of their
high speeds and the sheer destructive force of their flow.
Hazardous Areas Debris flows start
on steep slopes-slopes steep enough to make walking difficult.
Once started, however, debris flows can travel even over gently
sloping ground. The most hazardous areas are canyon bottoms,
stream channels, areas near the outlets of canyons, and slopes
excavated for buildings and roads.
COMMUNITY BASED MITIGATION :
The most damaging landslides are
often related to human intervention such as construction of
roads, housing and other infrastructure in vulnerable slopes and
regions. Other community based activities that can mitigate
landslides are education and awareness generation among the
communities, establishing community based monitoring, timely
warning and evacuation system. Communities can play a vital role
in identifying the areas where there is land instability.
Compacting ground locally, slope stabilization (procedures such
as terracing and tree planting may reduce damages to some
extent), and avoiding construction of houses in hazardous
locations are something that the community has to agree and
adhere to avoid damage from the possible landslides. This would
also reduce the burden of shifting of settlements from hazardous
slopes and rebuild in safe site as it is less practical to do in
large scale.
DAC
KASHMIR PROJECTS & Main MITIGATION STRATEGIES
At esro , we are working to locate
areas prone to slope failures or simply hazard mapping. This
will permit to identify avoidance of areas for building
settlements. These maps will serve as a tool for mitigation
planning.
We are strongly advocating to
Areas covered by degraded natural vegetation in upper slopes are
to be afforested with suitable species. Existing patches of
natural vegetation (forest and natural grass land) in good
condition, should be preserved. Any developmental activity
initiated in the area should be taken up only after a detailed
study of the region and slope protection should be carried out
if necessary. In construction of roads, irrigation canals etc.
proper care is to be taken to avoid blockage of natural
drainage. Total avoidance of settlement in the risk zone should
be made mandatory.
Relocate settlements and
infrastructure that fall in the possible path of the landslide.
No construction of buildings in areas beyond a certain degree of
slope. Besides we have given design and consultancy services to
built Retaining Walls to stop land from slipping (these walls
are commonly seen along roads in hill stations). It’s
constructed to prevent smaller sized and secondary landslides
that often occur along the toe portion of the larger landslides
and surface drainage control works are implemented to control
the movement of landslides accompanied by infiltration of rain
water and spring flows.
Our Engineering Division has developed a unique approach which
is cost effective to provide strong foundations which can
withstand or take the ground movement forces e.g pipes, cables,
etc. Increasing vegetation cover is the cheapest and most
effective way of arresting landslides. This helps to bind the
top layer of the soil with layers below, while preventing
excessive run-off and soil erosion and we are working on
different watersheds in the region. We seek global partnership
assist individuals whose homes are likely to be damaged by
landslides or by any other natural hazards by providing them
Insurance.
eIEN South Asia
Western Himalaya Kashmir
DAC KASHMIR
seeking human survival through preparedness ..
esrokashmir.org
HOME
Welcome at
DAC
eIEN South Asia
Western Himalaya Kashmir
Disaster Awareness Centre Kashmir, is a core group initiated by esro Kashmir Environment Node in association with International Disaster Mitigation Centre to enhance the capabilities of the community for disaster Awareness. DAC is to produce manuals and guidelines; formulate policy and disaster Awareness strategy proposals to reduce death and sufferings due to earthquakes and other natural hazards in the world's most vulnerable regional (Kashmir) through advocacy, preparedness, prevention and mitigation.
LANDSLIDES
HAZARDS AND DISASTERS
LANDSLIDES – refers to rapid downslope movement of slippery masses of soil or rock down mountain slopes or river banks. Gravity constantly pulls downward every material everywhere on the earth, causing a variety of phenomenon collectively referred as mass wasting.
Onset Type and Warning: Though they occur gradually, however sudden failure (sliding) can occur without warning. They may take place in combination with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. There are no clearly established warnings in place indicating occurrence of landslide and hence difficult to predict the actual occurrence. Areas of high risk can be determined by use of Information on geology, hydrology, vegetation cover, past occurrence and consequences in the region.
CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES :
Geological Weak material: weathered materials, jointed or fissured materials, contrast in permeability and contrast in stiffness (stiff, dense material over plastic materials).
Erosion: Wave erosion of slope toe, glacial erosion of slope toe, subterranean erosion (Deposition loading slope or its crest, Vegetation removal).
Intense rainfall: Storms that produce intense rainfall for periods as short as several hours or have a more moderate intensity lasting several days have triggered abundant landslides.
Human Excavation of slope and its toe, Loading of slope/toe, draw down in reservoir, mining, deforestation, irrigation, vibration/blast, Water leakage from services.
Earthquake shaking has triggered landslides in many different topographic and geologic settings. Rock falls, soil slides and rockslides from steep slopes involving relatively thin or shallow dis-aggregated soils or rock, or both have been the most abundant types of landslides triggered by historical earthquakes.
Volcanic eruption Deposition of loose volcanic ash on hillsides commonly is followed by accelerated erosion and frequent mud or debris flows triggered by intense rainfall.
Element at Risk : The most common elements at risk are the settlements built on the steep slopes, built at the toe and those built at the mouth of the streams emerging from the mountain valley. All those buildings constructed without appropriate foundation for a given soil and in sloppy areas are also at risk. Roads, communication line and buried utilities are vulnerable.
Kashmir Landslides : Landslide constitute a major natural hazard in Kashmir, which accounts for considerable loss of life and damage to communication routes, human settlements, agricultural fields and forest lands. The Jammu & Kashmir State , with diverse physiographic, seismotectonic and climatological conditions is subjected to varying degree of landslide hazards; the Himalayas including Northeastern mountains ranges being the worst affected. Removal of vegetation and toe erosion have also triggered slides . Human intervention by way of slope modification has added to this effect.
Highest snowfall recorded in the last 30 years in J & K region has been 4.5 m in February-1996 in Banihal and 8.4 m in February-1967 in Gulmarg. However, in 2004 snow accumulation upto 40 ft at several places in different districts. Incidences of landslides/avalanches have been reported at several places .
In Waltango Disaster 278 persons (including 24 security forces/GREF personnel) lost their lives due to snowfall and avalanches. 12, 000 houses (approx) were damaged affecting approximately 2.35 lakhs population. Rabi crop and the plantations have suffered extensive damage. Anantnag, Doda, Pulwama and Poonch are among the worst affected districts.
16 automatic weather stations linked to Metsat for avalanche
Targetting on accurate avalanche forecasting in hills of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh (HP), 16 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSS) have been linked to the recently-launched avalanche forcasting satellite, Metsat in northern India.
Sixteen Automatic Weather Stations (AWSS) were linked to metsat for accurate avalanche forecasting and warnings in J and K and HP hills recently.
There are 35 surface observatory networks covering J and K and parts of HP for weather forcasting, avalanche warnings and other information adding in addition to it, quality data from 16 AWSS has been put on metsat for broader usage.
Avalanche forcast warnings for areas of J and K including Siachen, Kargil, Mushkoh valley, Shamshaban range and Pir Panjal ranges besides HP areas covering Manali, Rohtang, Patseo were currently being issued regularly three days in advance with good accuracy for use by Army as well as civilian population.
Not only this, fly-through models using optical imageries and survey of Indian maps were developed and demonstrated to users for familiarizing the troops for safe conduct during winter months in J and K, particularly in Kargil- Siachen sector.
Zone Significance of Landslides :
High: The area is well known for the danger of landslides, and for the perennial threat to life and property. Restrictions on all new constructions and adoption of improved land use and management practices deserve to be encouraged. Investments on landslide remediation measures, on public education and on early warning systems are strongly indicated. This is a zone in which landslides have occurred in the past and are already to be expected in the future. New constructions in this zone should be strictly regulated and construction should be done only after proper site investigation and implementation of appropriate remedial package. Before the new construction projects are cleared in this zone, environment impact assessment should be made mandatory.
Moderate to Low: Engineered and well-regulated new construction activities and well-planned agricultural practices could be permitted. All construction activities should however be based on technically evaluated and certified plans by established institutions and authorized consultants.
Unlikely: No visible sign of slope instability are seen in this zone in the present stage of knowledge. No blanket restriction needs to be imposed on various land use practices provided they confirm to the prevailing building regulations and bye-laws. Location specific limitations may become necessary for high-density urban areas. Snow covered areas
Typical Effects :
Physical Damage: Landslides destroy anything that comes in their path. They block or bury roads, lines of communication, settlements, river flow, agricultural land, etc. It also includes loss to agricultural production and land area. In addition physical effects such as flooding may also occur.
Casualties: They cause maximum fatalities depending on the place and time of occurrence. Catastrophic landsides have killed many thousands of persons, such as the debris slide on the slopes of Waltangu in South Kashmir triggered by heay snowfall in 2004, which killed over 378 persons (including 24 security forces/GREF personnel) and affecting approximately 2.35 lakhs population.
Debris Flows or Mudslides
Fast-moving flows of mud and rock, called debris flows or mudslides, are among the most numerous and dangerous types of landslides in the world. They are particularly dangerous to life and property because of their high speeds and the sheer destructive force of their flow.
Hazardous Areas Debris flows start on steep slopes-slopes steep enough to make walking difficult. Once started, however, debris flows can travel even over gently sloping ground. The most hazardous areas are canyon bottoms, stream channels, areas near the outlets of canyons, and slopes excavated for buildings and roads.
COMMUNITY BASED MITIGATION :
The most damaging landslides are often related to human intervention such as construction of roads, housing and other infrastructure in vulnerable slopes and regions. Other community based activities that can mitigate landslides are education and awareness generation among the communities, establishing community based monitoring, timely warning and evacuation system. Communities can play a vital role in identifying the areas where there is land instability. Compacting ground locally, slope stabilization (procedures such as terracing and tree planting may reduce damages to some extent), and avoiding construction of houses in hazardous locations are something that the community has to agree and adhere to avoid damage from the possible landslides. This would also reduce the burden of shifting of settlements from hazardous slopes and rebuild in safe site as it is less practical to do in large scale.
DAC KASHMIR PROJECTS & Main MITIGATION STRATEGIES
At esro , we are working to locate areas prone to slope failures or simply hazard mapping. This will permit to identify avoidance of areas for building settlements. These maps will serve as a tool for mitigation planning.
We are strongly advocating to Areas covered by degraded natural vegetation in upper slopes are to be afforested with suitable species. Existing patches of natural vegetation (forest and natural grass land) in good condition, should be preserved. Any developmental activity initiated in the area should be taken up only after a detailed study of the region and slope protection should be carried out if necessary. In construction of roads, irrigation canals etc. proper care is to be taken to avoid blockage of natural drainage. Total avoidance of settlement in the risk zone should be made mandatory.
Relocate settlements and infrastructure that fall in the possible path of the landslide. No construction of buildings in areas beyond a certain degree of slope. Besides we have given design and consultancy services to built Retaining Walls to stop land from slipping (these walls are commonly seen along roads in hill stations). It’s constructed to prevent smaller sized and secondary landslides that often occur along the toe portion of the larger landslides and surface drainage control works are implemented to control the movement of landslides accompanied by infiltration of rain water and spring flows.
Our Engineering Division has developed a unique approach which is cost effective to provide strong foundations which can withstand or take the ground movement forces e.g pipes, cables, etc. Increasing vegetation cover is the cheapest and most effective way of arresting landslides. This helps to bind the top layer of the soil with layers below, while preventing excessive run-off and soil erosion and we are working on different watersheds in the region. We seek global partnership assist individuals whose homes are likely to be damaged by landslides or by any other natural hazards by providing them Insurance.