Home > Landslide Safety Guide
Warning Signs
- New cracks appearing in walls, ground, roads, or retaining walls
- Tilting of trees, utility poles, fences, or walls
- Unusual water seepage or springs appearing in new locations
- Rumbling sounds from the hillside that increase in volume
- Sudden decrease in stream or river water level (debris may be blocking flow upstream)
- Doors or windows that suddenly stick or jam
- Ground shifting or bulging at the base of a slope
- Fences, utility poles, or trees tilting or moving
- Water breaking through the ground surface in new locations
During a Landslide
- Move away from the path of the landslide as quickly as possible
- Move to higher ground away from the slide direction
- If indoors, take cover under a sturdy desk or table and protect your head
- Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas where debris can accumulate
- If driving, stop the vehicle and stay inside - do NOT try to cross a landslide area
- If escape is not possible, curl into a tight ball and protect your head
- Stay alert for unusual sounds - breaking trees, boulders rolling
- Alert neighbors if possible
After a Landslide
- Stay away from the slide area - more slides may follow, especially during continued rain
- Check for trapped or injured people without entering the slide area directly
- Report the landslide to local authorities and district administration
- Avoid damaged structures and buildings near the slide path
- Watch for flooding - landslides can block rivers and streams, creating temporary dams that may burst
- Check for damaged water supply lines and electrical cables
- Do NOT attempt to cross areas where landslide debris is still moving
- Look for and help neighbors who may need assistance
- Replant damaged ground to prevent further erosion when safe
Emergency Actions
Call 112 or 1070 for disaster helpline
Contact NDRF: +91-9711077372
Call 108 for medical emergency
India-Specific Notes
High-risk zones: Entire Northeast India, Western Ghats (Kerala, Karnataka, Goa), and the Himalayan belt (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim). Monsoon season (June-September) sees the most landslides due to heavy rainfall saturating hill slopes. GSI (Geological Survey of India) monitors landslide-prone areas. Deforestation and unplanned construction on hill slopes significantly increase risk.
Other Guides
Cyclone Safety Guide | Earthquake Safety Guide | Flood Safety Guide | Heatwave Safety Guide |