Dehradun: With the growing number of sensitive landslide zones, the state government faces a new challenge to ensure treatments of all such zones before the arrival of the monsoon season next year in the hill state. As per the data, the existing number of sensitive landslide zones is 62. The government had identified 37 landslide zones during the monsoon season between May to August this year. Most of the zones are near to the main link roads.
“The number of landslide zones keeps on increasing and decreasing in the state. Most of the landslide zones are along the national highways. State government is treating landslide zones in other areas,” secretary of disaster management department Vinod Kumar Suman told this reporter.
Uttarakhand is sensitive to landslides
Uttarakhand, which is sensitive to landslides, witnessed an increase in the number of incidents due to landslides. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority and the Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre (ULMMC) have been keeping a close eye on the landslide zones.
37 chronic landslide zones were identified recently
37 chronic landslide zones were identified along highways and other roads between May and August this year. The number of common landslide areas is more than 1000. However, they are not under the category of sensitive. Most of the normal landslide areas are Chamoli, Tehri, Champawat, and Pithoragarh districts.
Treatment of landslide zones remain on the government’s priority
The state government also gives it priority to ensure solid treatment of the landslide zones for the safety of people. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recently asked all the district magistrates to identify the landslide zones in their districts concerned and ensure their proper treatment. He has given them clear instructions to seek help from the expert organizations for the proper examination of the landslide zones.
Landslides is one among hazards in the state
In Uttarakhand, landslides, which is one among hazards, affects highways/roads networks, human settlement, and agricultural fields, besides claiming lives. The state has its own history of landslide disaster incidents. So, the government always gives it top priority to ensure solid treatment of landslide zones.
