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On first anniv, GSI's landslide-forecast unit promises nation-wide cover by '30
Kolkata: From sudden flash floods to fast-moving boulders cascading down mountain slopes, the Geological Survey of India's (GSI) National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC) has been quietly making a life-saving difference.
Marking its first anniversary, the centre on Friday celebrated a year of critical interventions at a workshop held at the Dharitri Building in Salt Lake, Kolkata. With India witnessing one of the highest rates of rainfall-induced landslides globally, NLFC's efforts are increasingly vital. GSI's long-term vision includes establishing a fully operational, nationwide Regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) by 2030.
The NLFC now regularly issues early-warning bulletins for landslide-prone regions, like Darjeeling and Kalimpong in Bengal, and the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, significantly enhancing the safety of both residents and tourists. Inaugurating the workshop, GSI director general Asit Saha announced that the system will soon be operational in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, further extending its coverage in vulnerable Himalayan regions.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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"In just one year, NLFC grew from covering 16 districts in six states to 21 districts in eight states. This is a remarkable leap in our mission to protect lives and property from landslide hazards," said Saha. He lauded the NLFC's pioneering work in integrating global best practices and upgrading digital tools, like the NLFC dashboard, Bhusanket portal, and Bhooskhalan app, to enhance real-time monitoring and public accessibility.
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Priyanka Singla, special secretary of the West Bengal State Disaster Management Authority (WBSDMA), underscored the need for robust inter-agency coordination. She commended GSI's role in operationalising forecast systems in Kalimpong and Darjeeling, and affirmed the state's commitment to integrate scientific forecasts into ground-level disaster response.
While highlighting the importance of predictive alerts, geologists also raised a crucial concern: "If the system issues a red alert in a densely populated hilly town like Darjeeling, are we ready with evacuation plans? Where will people go?" Their worry pointed to the need for comprehensive evacuation strategies to follow timely warnings.
The event brought together senior officials from NDMA, IMD, ISRO's NRSC, state disaster management bodies, academic institutions, and industry experts. Technical sessions showcased recent advancement in landslide sensor technology, AI-based forecasting models, and strategic roadmaps for risk mitigation.
