National Landslide Forecasting Centre Launched in Kolkata

Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC) in Kolkata. He also launched the 'Bhusanket' website and 'Bhooskhalan' mobile app. The NLFC aims to provide daily landslide forecasts for multiple states, initially covering Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri, with plans for nationwide expansion by 2030.

Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC) in Kolkata on Friday.

Reddy also launched the 'Bhusanket' website and the 'Bhooskhalan' mobile app, which will disseminate forecast data.

''The primary aim of the NLFC is to integrate, generate, and disseminate daily landslide forecasts for multiple states to contribute to better risk assessment and early forecasting. While landslides cannot be stopped, the loss of lives and property damage can be prevented,'' Reddy stated.

''This launch marks a significant moment in the Center's quest towards landslide prevention and disaster preparedness,'' he added.

Initially, forecasts will be issued for Kalimpong and Darjeeling in West Bengal, and Nilgiri in Tamil Nadu, with a plan to expand to all landslide-prone states by 2030.

Forecasts will be provided on two-time scales -- short-range (two days) and medium-range (seven days), Reddy noted.

The NLFC, which operates under the Geological Survey of India (GSI), will offer early information to local administration and communities, update landslide inventories, and integrate real-time rainfall and slope instability data for greater forecasting accuracy, according to an official statement.

Meanwhile, the GSI announced the completion of mapping 4.3 lakh sq km of landslide-prone areas across 19 states and union territories under the National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping programme.

The agency has developed a prototype technique for forecasting rainfall-induced landslides on a regional scale, through a multi-consortium international research program called LANDSLIP.

Rainfall being the primary trigger for landslides, the forecasting system is integrated with meteorological data, the GSI added. Additionally, the minister held review meetings with Hindustan Copper and Coal India.

During a meeting with Coal India chairman P M Prasad, Reddy discussed issues related to coal production, dispatch, and supply, and reviewed the progress of the Jharia Master Plan.

(With inputs from agencies.)