Geological experts start Investigation of landslide causes in Mandi district
Shimla, Sept 5
In response to the recent surge in landslides and landslide-related incidents during the rainy season, a joint initiative involving the Geological Survey of India and professors from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, in collaboration with local administration authorities, has been launched to identify the root causes of these disasters, informed a official spokesperson.
The endeavor, which commenced on Monday, saw a two-member team from the Geological Survey of India, including scientists Shreyasi Mahapatra and Wangshitula Ozhukam, along with experts from IIT Mandi and representatives from the local administration inspect several affected areas in Mandi district, they added in a media communique. The areas scrutinized on the first day included Mandi Nagar, Mangawai, Tarna, Sanyardi, and their neighboring regions. The team meticulously assessed the extent of damage, including the examination of structural issues such as cracks in the Jal Shakti Department office building in Tarna, the SP residence, and the District and Sessions Judge residence, they informed.
The primary objective of this collaborative effort is to comprehensively analyze geophysical factors contributing to landslides. The spokesperson added that the team’s schedule includes surveying Jukain in Sarkaghat on Tuesday and Riur in the Dharampur area on Wednesday and Thursday. A crucial meeting with the District Collector of Mandi is slated for Friday to discuss their findings and propose potential preventive and mitigation measures.
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Accompanying the Geological Survey of India team on this mission are Prof. Dr. R.K. Prasanna and Dr. Rajneesh Sharma, experts from the Geostructural Engineering Department at IIT Mandi. Additionally, officials from the Municipal Corporation Mandi, Electricity Board, Public Works, and Jal Shakti Department are actively participating in the survey.
District Collector Arindam Chowdhary highlighted the urgency of the geological survey in light of the recent surge in landslide incidents across the state during this rainy season. He noted that Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has personally emphasized the need to identify the underlying causes of these disasters. Alongside immediate measures to prevent further occurrences, the survey aims to develop a comprehensive action plan for addressing such situations in the future.
Over the course of July and August, heavy rainfall in Mandi district and the wider state led to numerous landslides, causing significant damage to homes and roads, with many experiencing cracks or becoming vulnerable due to landslides. To proactively address these challenges, the state government is conducting this thorough geological survey to formulate both short-term solutions and long-term strategies, concluded the spokesperson.
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