A Study of Extreme Weather Events in Relation to Landslides over India in Recent Years

Abstract

As per WMO study, a changing climate leads to changes in the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration and timing of extreme weather and climate events and could result in huge impact on the environment and society. According to the report of Global Climate Risk Index (GCRI-2019), India is one of the five worst affected countries in the world. A scientific analysis had concluded that climate change had increased the chances of the rainfall that caused the flooding by an estimated 43% (WMO, 2016). The potential for damage from such rainfall extreme events is also increasing, as higher river levels put more properties close to the flood plain at risk from flooding. Landslide is a natural phenomenon which is caused mostly due to heavy rains, floods, earthquakes, unsustainable construction on hill tops etc. In the present study, the frequency and casualties due to landslides have been worked out. The synoptic conditions for these major hazard events have also been analyzed and discussed. It is seen that unsustainable growth, urbanization and deforestation add to losses of lives and property substantially.