HOW TO PREVENT LANDSLIDES

Landslide Threat

If you stay in a mountainous region - irrespective of whether your house is located at the top of the mountain or close to its base, you are vulnerable to the problem of landslide. While the problem may vary in terms of degree from one region to another, ruling out a landslide is something that is not quite a wise thing to do. For instance, the chances of the same are even more if your region is prone to earthquakes or if some other agents of erosion - such as sea waves and wind, are continuously acting on the landform on which you have built your abode. Similarly, the chances of a slope caving in to immense pressure is high, if mining, stone quarrying, logging, and other activities are common in your region.

Even land clearance for agricultural practices can cause landslides as the trees which hold the otherwise unstable soil together are cut in large numbers. Soil erosion caused by flowing water is by far the most common reason for landslides. This can include natural streams and rivulets as well as drainage from the homes which have been constructed on the hilltop, as both have the tendency to slowly erode a chunk of the slope to an extent wherein the entire slope just gives in to increasing pressure. Constructing a dwelling on a steep slope is not at all a wise option, but the fact that we are facing a severe shortage of land with increasing population has made many people opt for the same.

How to Prevent Landslides?

If you even have the slightest feeling that the place where you stay is vulnerable to landslides, it's better to get into action and put in all the efforts possible to avoid the certain disasters. So how can we prevent landslides? It isn't much difficult if you resort to presence of mind. As we mentioned earlier, soil erosion is one of the most common reasons of landslides, and therefore soil erosion prevention can help you reduce the risk of landslides by a significant extent, if not eliminating it all altogether.

Prevent Soil Erosion to Prevent Landslides
The foremost thing to do is to divert the discharge water away from slopes by constructing gutters and using sandbags. If there is no scope for diverting - especially in case of natural sources of water, you can contain its speed by building small dams; so as to ensure that the amount of erosion is in check. The velocity of water determines how much soil is eroded, and hence containing its speed is bound to be helpful when it comes to prevention of landslides. It is important to make sure that you divert or contain the water flow - and not stop it altogether, as stopping it will result in pressure build-up over a period, which might give in at one point of time. Never redirect storm drain or street gutter down a slope, even if it seems to be an easy way out. Instead you can use flexible pipes and divert this water in a safe manner.

Plant Vegetation
Yet another simple way to prevent landslides is to plant trees and small shrubs on the slope. As these trees and shrubs grow, their roots hold soil together, and help in reducing erosion of soil which is likely to make the slope unstable in course of time. In fact, there exist quite a few species of plants with shallow roots which are specifically used to protect the top layer of the soil in mountainous regions. You can inquire about these plants in the nursery in your neighborhood, and plant them along the slope.

Retaining Walls
Retaining walls can also help when it comes to prevention of landslides, but only when you make sure that you construct them properly. If you don't facilitate proper drainage of water, the chances are that the wall will come down with the entire slope after some time. You can resort to one of the different types of retaining walls available on the basis of geology of your region. While a concrete retaining wall is an ideal option, a wooden retaining wall or a crude stone retaining wall will also work fine. Similarly, building a sea wall will be an ideal option if the landform in question is subjected to sea waves.