Earthquake, incessant rains responsible for land slide

• Kodagu Agriculture Scientists Forum’s opinion

Madikeri: A study conducted by the Kodagu Agriculture Scientists Forum (ASF) in association with the Ponnompete Forest College into the excess has identified and published a few elements of responsible for the land slide in Kodagu.

Addressing a press conference, the president of ASF K R Babu Raghavan and other prominent persons spoke and gave information on the reasons behind the land slide.

On July 9^th 2018, there was an earthquake in Madikeri region with an intensity of 1.4 on the Richter’s scale. This earthquake is responsible for the land slide which occurred one month later. In comparison to last year, 3,463 mm of rain was recorded from June to September, which was up by almost 59% in comparison to normal rain. From Aug 13-19, there was 594.2 mm rain in the district and this, in comparison to normal rain was up by 272%. This too can be said to be the main reason for landslide. As a combined result of this, landslides occurred at various places in the district on Aug 15, 16 and 17.

Due to the landslide, altogether 629.158 hectare of land has been destroyed in the areas which suffered the damages in excess. By strengthening slopes and preventing soil erosion, any future calamity can be averted, they advised.

Backwater pressure too is one of the reasons

The all of a sudden release of water from Harangi reservoir, by failing to see the water inflow level at the reservoir and the backwater pressure of the reservoir was also one of the reason for the land slide. Due to the cracks which developed on the rocks on the hills and mountains, the loose soil terrain and the accumulation of moisture led to a state of instability. Such areas got converted into small valleys which consequently led to the land slide, opinion the scientists.