HAILAKANDI, June 8 - Geologists have analysed the incidence of landslips and related vulnerability in Hailakandi district. Two teams from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducted a survey of landslide-hit areas in the three districts of Barak valley following a series of landslides that claimed 21 lives recently.
District Disaster Management Authority�s district project officer Rupjoy Maibangsa, who assisted the team along with field officers, information assistant and AAPDA Mitra volunteers in two landslide-hit areas at Mohonpur Grant under Hailakandi revenue circle and one area at Chandipur Grant under Algapur revenue circle, said that the team of geologists carried out in-depth post-disaster landslide studies and vulnerability assessment at the affected sites.
Geologist Apenthung Kikon said the teams made preliminary studies of the geomorphology, natural drainage and slopes, soil and rock composition of the hillocks and mounds in the landslide-hit areas.
�The category of landslides, dimension of the landslide, geology, geomorphology (study of characteristics, origin and development of landforms) as well as what triggered them, including rainfall, have been studied and assessed,� he said, adding that the report would undergo further evaluation by GSI, Assam unit, and Regional Mission Head-IV, GSI, Shillong before it is finally submitted to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
Kikon said that though the causes of these landslides are mainly natural following �weathering of rocks eventually turning into soil and erosion of top soil due to incessant rainfall�, the effect of anthropogenic (man-made) interference sometimes aggravates the situation locally in some places.
In addition, the survey will add to the know-how on the relation of rainfall intensity and landslide initiation.
Kikon said the teams have sought rainfall data just preceding the landslides and on the day of the incidents from the administration of the affected districts.
The visit of the teams was due to the prompt initiative taken by the ASDMA following a series of landslides in the three districts of Barak valley region that claimed eight lives in Hailakandi district, seven in Cachar and six in Karimganj district.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during a recent visit to Barak valley to take stock of the situation in the aftermath of the landslides had announced that teams from GSI would analyse the incidents and related vulnerability in the areas.
Following the landslides, the Hailakandi district administration has been shifting people living close to hillocks and mounds to safer places. Following a directive from the Deputy Commissioner cum DDMA chairman Megh Nidhi Dahal, several teams comprising circle officers, field officers, information assistants and AAPDA Mitra volunteers have started fanning out to the landslide-prone areas to evacuate the people to safer places such as educational institutions, besides government and private buildings.
It may be mentioned here that the district has 17 landslide-prone spots under four revenue circles.
