Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Earth Sciences provides an update on landslide-prone area mapping and mitigation efforts in India. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has completed landslide susceptibility mapping on a 1:50,000 scale for approximately 4.3 lakh sq. km across 19 states/UTs. GSI is also developing a Regional Landslide Forecasting System (RLFS) and provides forecast bulletins for select districts, with ongoing efforts to upscale mapping to a 1:10,000-1:5,000 scale by 2028.
Key Points / Main Content:
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping:
Completed by GSI on a 1:50,000 scale for landslide-prone areas (approximately 4.3 lakh sq. km) across 19 states/UTs.
Maps classify areas into high, moderate, and low susceptibility zones.
91,000 historical landslides recorded, with 33,904 field validated, and the database is continuously updated.
Maps and landslide inventory available for free download on GSI's National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) and Bhukosh map portal, and viewable on Bhusanket portal and Bhooskhalan mobile app.
Meso-scale Mapping:
Upscaling to 1:10,000-1:5,000 scale mapping underway, targeting 200 critical sectors by 2028.
160 critical sectors/localities mapped by the end of field season 2024-25.
Post-Disaster Studies and Site-Specific Investigations:
GSI conducts post-disaster landslide studies and detailed site-specific investigations (1:1000-2000 scale).
45 detailed site-specific investigations of chronic landslides conducted between 2019 and 2024.
Regional Landslide Forecasting System (RLFS):
Being developed by GSI in a phased manner since 2020.
Utilizes rainfall thresholds, Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, and observed rainfall data.
Collaboration with IMD, NCMRWF, NRSC of ISRO, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs).
Prototype Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) developed as part of the LANDSLIP project.
Operational and experimental landslide forecast bulletins issued for 21 districts in eight states since the 2025 monsoon.
Special Assistance to States:
Government provides special assistance to states with high-risk landslide-prone areas.
Financial support through the National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme.
Aapda Mitra scheme by NDMA trains community volunteers in disaster response.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments and Disaster Management Authorities:
Impact: Benefit from landslide susceptibility maps and forecasting systems for land use planning, infrastructure development, and disaster preparedness.
Action Required: Utilize available maps and forecast bulletins, collaborate with GSI and other agencies for data integration and model validation, and implement mitigation measures.
Communities in Landslide-Prone Areas:
Impact: Increased safety through better-informed land use planning, early warning systems, and trained community volunteers.
Action Required: Stay informed about landslide risks, participate in disaster preparedness programs, and utilize the Bhooskhalan mobile app for information.
Geological Survey of India (GSI):
Impact: Responsible for conducting mapping, research, and development of forecasting systems.
Action Required: Continue mapping efforts, update landslide databases, collaborate with other agencies, and disseminate information to stakeholders.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):
Impact: Implements the Aapda Mitra scheme to train community volunteers.
Action Required: Continue funding and supporting the Aapda Mitra scheme in landslide-prone areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Geological Survey of India: The nodal agency for landslide studies in India, responsible for landslide susceptibility mapping and post-disaster studies.
National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping: A program by the Geological Survey of India to map landslide-prone areas on a 1:50,000 scale.
Himalayan region: A landslide prone hilly mountainous area of the country.
Tertiary Belt of Northeastern India: A landslide prone hilly mountainous area of the country.
Western Ghats: A landslide prone hilly mountainous area of the country.
Regional Landslide Forecasting System: A system developed by GSI for landslide-prone areas, built on rainfall thresholds and weather prediction models.
Indian Meteorological Department: Collaborates with GSI for data integration, forecasting, and model validation in the Regional Landslide Forecasting System.
National Disaster Management Authority: Implements the Aapda Mitra scheme, providing financial support and training to community volunteers in disaster response in states with high-risk landslide-prone areas.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4532
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 20th AUGUST, 2025
MAPPING OF LANDSLIDE PRONE AREAS
4532. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:
Will the Minister of Earth Sciences be pleased to state:
(a) the present status of the mapping of landslide prone areas in the country;
(b) the details of areas identified with risk category of the same, State wise;
(c) the details of measures taken/action plan proposed by the Government for high-risk
areas considering the growing frequency of natural calamities; and
(d) whether the Government has any plan to provide special assistance to the States
having high risk landslide prone areas and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) Being the nodal agency for landslide studies, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has
completed the landslide susceptibility mapping under the National Landslide
Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) programme on 1: 50,000 scale for the entire landslide
prone hilly/ mountainous areas of the country including the Himalayan region, the
Tertiary Belt of North-eastern India and Western Ghats, spreading over parts of 19
states/ UTs covering an area of about 4.3 lakh sq. km. areas. The landslide susceptibility
maps show the total area classified into high, moderate and low zones based on their
relative likelihood of susceptibility to landslide initiation, and can be used as a vital
geo-information tool for regional land-use planning in landslide prone fragile slopes.
GSI also collected information on 91,000 historical landslides using both remote
sensing (RS) and field-based source data. A total number of 33,904 landslides are field
validated and the database is continuously being updated with the new landslide data
collected year-wise as part of post-disaster studies. The landslide susceptibility map and
the landslide inventory generated are uploaded in the GSI’s National Geoscience Data
Repository (NGDR) and Bhukosh map portal for free download by all the stakeholders.
This is also available for viewing in GSI’s Bhusanket portal as well as Bhooskhalan
mobile app.
Building on the NLSM baseline, GSI has upscaled into meso-scale (1:10,000/1:5,000)
landslide susceptibility mapping. This initiative focuses on completing 200 critical
sectors identified through NLSM and state government consultations by 2028. By the
end of field season 2024-25, GSI has completed work on meso scale (1:10,000) in 160
critical sectors/ localities. These high-resolution maps support planning in vulnerable
hill regions, allowing for more informed decisions in infrastructure development, even
aiding in implementing zoning regulations and ensuring community safety.In addition, GSI has carried out a number of post-disaster landslide studies as well as
detailed site-specific landslide investigations on 1:1000/2000 scale to suggest suitable
remedial measures for landslides and unstable slopes. During last five years (2019-
2024), GSI has carried out 45 detailed site-specific investigations of the chronic
landslides across the country.
(b) The entire landslide prone areas of the country have been categorized based on the
landslide susceptibility status. The state-wise details of landslide susceptibility status
are provided in the table given below:
area in 1000 sq. Km.
Moderate High
State Low Low % Moderate High
% %
Andhra Pradesh 1 48 1 46 0 6
Arunachal Pradesh 33 47 27 38 10 15
Assam 21 87 3 11 1 2
Goa 3 71 1 26 0 3
Himachal Pradesh 17 41 12 30 12 29
Jammu & Kashmir
(UT) 19 65 7 23 3 12
Karnataka 26 82 4 14 1 4
Kerala 10 52 7 35 3 13
Ladakh (UT) 17 42 15 37 8 21
Maharashtra 15 53 12 41 2 6
Manipur 13 54 7 28 4 18
Meghalaya 20 90 2 9 0 1
Mizoram 13 59 6 25 4 16
Nagaland 8 48 5 31 4 21
Sikkim 2 40 2 42 1 18
Tamil Nadu 8 75 2 19 1 6
Tripura 1 93 0 5 0 2
Uttarakhand 18 46 12 32 9 22
West Bengal 1 42 1 41 1 17
Total 245 56 126 29 63 15
(c) Considering the growing frequency of natural calamities including landslides, GSI is
actively involved in developing Regional Landslide Forecasting System (RLFS) for
landslide prone areas of the country in phased manner since 2020. This forecasting
system is built on probabilistic rainfall thresholds, Numerical Weather Prediction
(NWP) models and observed rainfall data for timely forecast/ warnings for rainfall
induced landslides. For this purpose, GSI has collaborated with Indian Meteorological
Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting
(NCMRWF), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO and all concerned
State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) for data integration, forecasting and
model validation.In line with this effort, GSI, as part of the multi consortium LANDSLIP project,
developed a prototype regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) for India.
Since 2025 monsoon, GSI has been providing operational and experimental landslide
forecast bulletins for 21 districts in eight states. The State-wise details of districts where
forecast bulletins are being issued during 2025 (both experimental and operational) are
as follows:
State (No. of Districts) District Name (s)
Operational forecast and ground testing
West Bengal (02) Darjeeling, Kalimpong
Tamil Nadu (01) Nilgiris
Experimental forecast for ground testing (shared with SDMAS & DDMAs for
testing purpose only)
Soreng, Pakyong, Mangan, Gyalshing, Gangtok,
Sikkim (06)
Namchi
Kerala (02) Wayanad, Idukki
Karnataka (01) Kodagu
Uttarakhand (04) Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal
Himachal Pradesh (02) Shimla, Kinnaur
Nagaland (03) Peren, Dimapur, Kohima
(d) Yes. The Government of India does provide special assistance to states with high-risk
landslide-prone areas. This includes financial support through the National Landslide
Risk Mitigation Programme and the Aapda Mitra scheme implemented by the National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), trains community volunteers in disaster
response. It aims to equip volunteers with the skills to address immediate community
needs after a disaster, focusing on disaster prone areas. The scheme is a central sector
scheme, meaning it's fully funded by the central government.
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