Union Minister of Coal and Mines, inaugurated the National landslide forecasting centre (NLFC) at Geological Survey of India (GSI) in Kolkata.

Other Initiatives

• On the sidelines,  the Bhusanket Web Portal and Bhooskhalan Mobile App Initiatives were launched.
• • Bhusanket Web Portal: It will help share important information on landslide hazards and start short-range and medium-range landslide forecasting.
  • Bhooskhalan Mobile App: It will quickly distribute daily landslide forecasts to users.

National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC)

• Objective:
  • Landslide Hazard Mitigation: It is aimed at reducing landslide risks in India.
  • Early Warning Bulletins: It will  provide early warnings for all landslide-prone states, with a goal to implement the regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) nationwide by 2030.

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About Landslides 

• Landslides are rapid movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope, also known as mass wasting.
• Landslide-Prone Areas in India: Major hydro-geological hazards affect 15% of India’s landmass, including:
  • Himalayas
  • Northeastern hill ranges
  • Western Ghats
  • Nilgiris
  • Eastern Ghats
  • Vindhyans

Susceptible Regions

• Himalayas and Western Ghats: Highly prone due to hilly terrain and heavy rainfall.
• Reason: The northward movement of the Indian plate towards China causes continuous stress on rocks, making them weak and prone to landslides and earthquakes.

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Causes of Landslide

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