When Earth Starts to Move: What Causes Landslides in Hilly Areas?

When Earth Starts to Move
What Causes Landslides in Hilly Areas?

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Landslides are common in Indian Himalayas and hilly areas of North-Eastern states.

They are particularly frequent during the pre-monsoon or monsoon season when heavy rains lead to subsidence of earth and rocks. They occur when there is a a movement of soil, rocks and debris down the mountain slope.

Here just a brief outline of the major triggers:

Earthquakes: Earthquakes are often in Himalaya region which causes loosening of soils that further leads to landslides.

Rainfall: Heavy rainfall during the monsoon leads to soil erosion and triggers landslides.

Reckless jhum or slash-and-burn cultivation is widely practiced in the hilly regions and causes soil erosion.

Man-made activities like grazing, construction, deforestation and cultivation abet soil erosion and risks of landslides.

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