GROUP III: LAND SLIDES 

Moderator: Col. Mohan LalCo-Moderator: Michael SiromaniRapporteur: Dr. Piyoosh Rautela

G.A. BhattJ.P. Kaushik

Bhupendra SinghD.R. BhagatI.S. Sandhu

Sukh Dev Vishwa PremiS.P. Chamoli

Harkawal SinghJasjit Singh

V.K. SandhuR.K. Hak

 

Himalayan Mountain Chain is very fragile.Mountain specific development approach is lacking in the

country. Mountain geography, ecosystems and development needs and resources are unique and the

development is very challenging. More than eleven states in the North and North East along the Himalayas and the

districts in west Bengal, and also the Western Ghat Districts in TN, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala &

Andamans are prone to landslides and earthquakes. The hilly areas are becoming very vulnerable due their

inherent fragility and over exploitation of its resources. It also adds to social tensions and also breeds terrorism and

insurgency, HENCE THERE IS A NEED FOR HILL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AT NATIONAL,

STATE AND OTHER LEVELS.

Geo technical investigations and clearance be made mandatory as a policy before construction of the roads and

undertaking other developmental initiatives

GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS

Debris disposal policy should be enacted

Research outputs are not being shared by research and other related organizations working for landslide hazard

zonation with the implementing departments. As a matter of policy the research institutions should share

their outcomes with implementing departments

For all stabilisation measures for the active landslides the advice of the technical organization should be taken

Open blasting should be banned in HimalayaControlled blasting and preferentially silent explosive

options should be used

Vulnerability mapping of all the areas (specially inhabited areas)

should be undertaken on priority basis using expert organizations

Awareness and skill transfer at the grassroots level with the incorporation of traditional skills and involvement of

the masses using RRA and PRA methods

Community level experts be identified and completely involved in planning and implementing DM initiatives

Monsoon period in general together with winter season in high altitudes is the time for taking all precautions. Stocking of essential items needs to be undertaken

vulnerable points in this period together with mobilisation of trained community volunteers for to watching for and precursory symptoms of landslides such as continuous

raining, drying of rivers etc.

Light weight and economical houses be promoted.

No construction zones be declared and marked and known to people.

Compulsory insurance cover be provided to masses in vulnerable areas with premiums being paid from CRF.

Some agency made responsible for clearing all developmental initiatives so as to ensure that these are

disaster safe and do not initiate disaster and this be made responsibility of the departments involved and a watchdog

committee be in position.

Training of groups from amongst media in the field of DM so that they cover it well

and the administration should maintain good liaison and interaction with media with regular press briefing by

authorized officials

Pre-disaster drill and check lists & mock drills with fixing of appropriate response time keeping in view the

seasonality of the disaster and severity of the individual landslide. (Warning in case of Varunavrat Parvat).

NDMA to periodically assess the preparedness levels of the vulnerable districts and appropriately advise.

Capacity building of the able people (+ 18 years) of the community by appropriate training. Pre-disaster

attachment of the elderly and physically challenged with in the community.

Resource inventory, stocking of resources be continuously done.

After the damage assessment the corporate groups should be invited for adopting villages.

Disaster Intervention Teams at village and other appropriate level be constituted, trained and equipped.

Protocol Officer team to be nominated to manage the VVIPs during disaster. It needs to be ensured that the

disaster responders are not be disturbed and visitors and others be provided restricted entry.

Security be tightened up in disaster struck areas (Police/ Community on the vigil).

VVIP visits should be utilised for highlighting the problems so that at the level of the Government they take

into account the fund requirements and infrastructure needs.

Pre-disaster periodical meetings and sharing of information at appropriate levels between Army and Civil

authorities.

Army be called in for disaster management related works only in cases of rare severity when it is inevitable.

Once invited the actions should be well coordinated and their resources optimally utilized.

The equipments, resources and capabilities of each other be better known and timely tested.

Pre-existing arrangements on collaboration between Army and Civil administration be strengthened.

Overdoing needs to be avoided.

Ex-servicemen area available in large numbers in the hill districts. Their capabilities should be identified and

utilized through Sainik Welfare Board. A database on availability has to be created trained , briefed and duties

and area assigned.

Civil Defence force be reactivated and reoriented towards DM works through regular trainings.

Provision for necessary equipments district level:Dozer D50 and JCV

AmbulanceHydraulic jacks

SheltersGenerators

Mobile X ray unitsEmergency lightening facilities (Inflatable light towers)

Gas and hydraulic steel and concrete cutters Balley bridge

Medical equipmentsMortuary vans

Pneumatic lifters and spreadersSearch cameras and scanning devices (Life detectors)

Special communication equipmentAppropriate warehousing facility

Advanced Rescue TenderSelf contained unit for operations

Please follow www.idrn.gov.in strictly and update it regularly

Essential S&R equipments be made available to community like first aid, stretcher, rescue ropes etc.

DM Plan be made by the community mandatorily be made a part of the District Development Plan.

Film to be screened on DD together with massive campaign to bring forth awareness amongst the masses.

Disaster Mitigation Awareness Week be organised twice every year.

Some members of the DM Committee be compulsorily be the part of the District Development Committee.

Disaster Mitigation Funds to be better utilized in strengthening district’s capability.

Entitlements to disaster victims be finalized and made known and announced so that here is no confusion and

stampede as in Chennai.

Landslide victims should be better compensated for their land lost permanently (land rendered mostly unsuitable)

and livelihoods lost.

In the landslide prone areas the crop and structures should be compulsorily insured by the state.

Emergency Medical Facilities be made available at lower levels.

Problem of transporting the victims be taken care of and strengthen them with adequate training.

Volunteers to be well trained. If need be telemedicine and air evacuation be provided.

Emergency landing facilities and helipad be created and existing ones identified in the hilly areas.

As a general policy there should be one helipad for every 100 km road stretch

The moment the disaster occurs the state/ district should come out with the requirements based upon the severity of

the disaster and made these public by media.

Family relief kits be preferred with filtering out unwanted material at entry points.

For relief work additional administrative units be taken up from other states/ districts for relief work in massive

disasters.

Provision for pre-disaster contract with major suppliers for the likely relief and rehabilitation items be made. This

exercise to be done at the time of the updating of the Plans. Items, Price and suppliers be publicly known.

Liaison Officer at district level to coordinate cooperation through NGO networking.

NGO to be involved in awareness and capacity building and at the time of the disasters should compulsorily

cooperate with district administration on relief.

According to the core competence and ability of the NGOs they can be involved in counselling.

Religious organizations can also play a major role in disaster management field.

Being a policy Red Cross should be reactivated, strengthened and involved in rescue and relief works and large number of volunteers of Red Cross should be used.

Resource mapping at community level should be done.

Government machinery should come forward in giving right information periodically in vulnerable areas.

Parallel communication systems (connected to the control room) such as HAM radio, wireless and others. Religious resources be used for communicating information. This

would also help in checking rumours.

Information liaison persons be identified at village level.

The district authorities should take special steps to control the rumours and periodically giving the message

related to information on disasters. No information would give rumours.

Portable inflatable lighting power be positioned in critical areas. Let us also explore the possibility of solar lights.

Adequate kerosene be stored in remote places.

Ministry of S& T to explore in developing indigenous light system be developed.

Training is very inadequate as for as the disaster is concerned hence need be strengthened at panchayat level

urban level and district level very regularly. From the community dedicated persons be identified and

given a designation like MASHAL AND ALSO UNIFORM and be recognized also during the REPUBLIC

DAY AND INDEPNDENCE DAY CELBRATION ETCcommunity be compulsorily consulted in their place /

village with adequate information so that their problems are taken into account while preparing the .DMP.

Like in Uttaranchal VILLAGE DISASTER INTERVENTION TEAM be created and trained and

assigned duties like SEARCH & RESCUE FIRST AID, HEALTH CARE, ANIMAL CARE,

RELIEF, REHABILTAION

The cannine search dogs of higher breed / puppy be provided by the Government to the animal lovers and

volunteers so that there could be sniffer dog team in the EQ / LAND SLIDE PRONE districts.

The local training institution be equipped and upgraded with indigenous equipments and training be locally be

suited.

There should be compulsory feed back and documentation of the past experience and should be collected at the

grassroots level.

Being hilly areas and transport communication be cut off it would be wise to have rope way trolley to resume the

communication.

MOUNTAIN SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY IS A MUST

Thanks for patient hearing