By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Human actions such as hill-cutting and unregulated construction have emerged as the main reasons behind landslide threats in Guwahati, according to an assessment of 366 high-risk locations across the city.
The survey covered 20 localities, including Fatasil, Garbhanga, Gotanagar, Hengerabari, Jalukbari-Lankeswar, Kahilipara, Kalapahar, Kamakhya-Nilachal, Khanapara, Kharguli, Koinadhora, Maligaon, Nabagraha, Narakasur, Narengi, Noonmati, Santipur, Sarania, Sukreswar and Sunsali.
Among them, Kharguli recorded the highest number of vulnerable spots at 77. Noonmati had 40 such locations, followed by Narengi with 37, Khanapara with 33, Maligaon with 31 and Jalukbari-Lankeswar with 30.
According to the findings, around 95 per cent of the identified sites were affected by man-made factors, while only 5 per cent were linked to natural causes.
The report said hill-cutting, construction on steep slopes, poor drainage facilities and unchecked urban growth have played a major role in increasing landslide risks across the city.
The survey showed that 88 per cent of the vulnerable slopes have an inclination of up to 60 degrees. Another 7 per cent are steeper than 60 degrees, while the remaining 5 per cent fall under the category of negative slopes.
More than half of the identified locations have slope heights of less than five metres. About 20 per cent are between five and ten metres high, 18 per cent range from 11 to 15 metres, and 5 per cent exceed 15 metres.
The condition of vegetation at these sites was also examined. Nearly 45 per cent of the slopes were found to have no vegetation cover. Grass and shrubs were present at 36 per cent of the locations, while only 19 per cent had tree cover.
The study found that 62 per cent of the vulnerable slopes are made up of both rock and soil. Soil-only slopes account for 34 per cent, while just 4 per cent consist entirely of rock.
A key concern raised in the report is that 74 per cent of the surveyed locations need urgent attention to reduce the risk to people and property.
The remaining sites were assessed as requiring less immediate intervention.
All the surveyed locations have been plotted on Google Earth to help authorities identify landslide-prone areas more easily.
The mapping is expected to support disaster preparedness, preventive measures and future planning.
According to the report, reducing landslide threats in the city will require tighter checks on hillside excavation, better management of rainwater flow, more vegetation cover and carefully planned use of land.