Bolderdash: 6 die, 14 injured in landslide in Himachal

Landslide Hazards Program

Landslides constitute a major geologic hazard because they are widespread, occur in all 50 states and U.S. territories, and cause $1-2 billion in damages and more than 25 fatalities on average each year. Expansion of urban and recreational developments into hillside areas leads to more people that are threatened by landslides each year. Landslides commonly occur in connection with other major natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, wildfires, and floods.

The primary objective of the National Landslide Hazards Program (LHP) is to reduce long-term losses from landslide hazards by improving our understanding of the causes of ground failure and suggesting mitigation strategies.

The LHP has operated since the mid-1970's in gathering information, conducting research, responding to emergencies and disasters, and producing scientific reports and other products for a broadly based user community including geologists and engineers in government, academia and private practice, planners and decision makers from governmental entities at all levels, and the general public.

The results of these efforts have led to significant improvements in understanding the nature and scope of ground-failure problems nationally and worldwide. Such improvements are central to the role of the program, because opportunities remain for fundamental advances in understanding that promise to save lives and dollars.

Sunday 14 February 2010

6 die, 14 injured in landslide in Himachal

Six persons, including a woman, were killed and 14 others injured in a landslide at Kachsthal village of Kinnaur district, 50 kms from here this morning, police said.

Around 7:30 am, boulders fell on tin huts on the bank of river Satluj, SP (Kinnaur) Yashbir Singh Pathania said adding the injured have been admitted to a private hospital in Tapri.

The mishap occurred near Karcham Wangto hydroelectricity project being carried by Jaypee group. Most of the victims were labourers hailing from Nepal while some were private contractors, he added.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Prakash Negi said search for the missing is on and the cause of the landslide, whether related to weather or due to the tremor caused by the blasting of rocks at the project site is yet to be ascertained.