Natural Hazards

Nature has given us beautiful mountains, yet when triggered they cause landslides with disastrous impacts. Landslides is a sudden slope failure, involving the downhill transfer of material. They are a major geologic hazard which results in more than USD$20 billion in damages yearly (Lecture 13, Slide 4). In order to reduce landslide hazard in Lantang, greater research needs to be done to devise better prevention and mitigation measures.

Firstly, before rebuilding the village, it is paramount to come up with a hazard map and impose stringent building restrictions. Due to Nepal’s hilly terrain that is severely weakened by an earthquake, it is more likely to slip. 1 By studying the geology and topography of the region, we can find out how slopes will fail. Moreover, places that have had landslides in the past are likely to experience more in future (Lecture 13, Slide 25). Thus by combining these two information, we can devise a hazard map that will indicate landslide-prone areas. No settlements will then be allowed in these locations. When used properly in the planning process, it should serve to reduce landslide hazard by keeping people away from the most vulnerable slopes. Evidently, we should also avoid areas where slopes are steep, which indicates high shear force and thus susceptibility to landslides. It is also fundamental to provide villagers with sufficient information about landslide risks to they have a realistic expectation for slope safety and decide whether they want to live in those circumstances.

However, hazard mapping is expensive and will require considerable technical expertise, which might not be readily available in Lantang. We should also consider the social and political aspect. It may be challenging for local officials to limit where people can live. This is more so in a less developed country where villagers may be less educated about landslide risks and are not willing to comply with the regulations.

Secondly, the rebuilt village also needs...