Landslides: Causes and Harmful effect

LANDSLIDES

Landslides are the downward and outward movement of a slope composed of earth materials such as rock, soil, artificial fills. Other names of landslides are rockslide, debris slide, slump, earth flow and soil creep.

Man induced landslides

During construction of roads and mining activities huge portions of fragile mountainous areas are cut and thrown into adjacent areas and streams. These land masses weaken the already fragile mountain slopes and lead to landslides called man induced landslides.

Causes of landslides

3. Removal of vegetation

In the sloppy area creates soil erosion, which leads to landslides.

2. Underground mining

Cause subsidence of the ground.

3. Transport

Due to the movement of buses and trains in the unstable sloppy region cause landslides.

4. Addition of weight

Addition of extra weight (or) construction on the slope areas leads to landslide.

5. Ground water level

Over exploitation of ground water also leads to landslides.

Harmful effect of landslides

Landslide increases the turbidity of nearby streams, thereby reducing their productivity. Destruction of communication links.

Loss of habitat and biodiversity.

Loss of infrastructure and economic loss.