The recent Manipur tragedy, in which more than 40 people have died and many are still missing, could have been averted if installation of Landslide Early Working system (LEWS) had not been delayed. Experimentation with the system has been on going for quite some time, in December last the Central Government had informed the parliament that LEWS had been tested in two pilot areas by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the evaluation process of the system was on going. Once GSI is satisfied with the performance of LEWS, the organisation will make the system functional in phases beginning from 2025. But the Manipur landslide clearly shows that if natural disasters continue to happen with such unfailing regularity, we have very little time to protect the people of the Northeast. Surely, the process of installing LEWS should be expedited and the states nestled in the Himalayas and its foothills should be earmarked as priority areas for the installation of the system. As a matter of fact, 13 per cent of India’s total landmass is landslide prone and in this context the Himalayan region is most vulnerable. So to prevent tragedies of this magnitude, work should start at the right earnest to ensure the safety of the people. It’s time to change the mindset that landslides are common occurrences in hilly areas during monsoon season and not much can be done to prevent such natural calamities. We have to realise that we can save lives and properties even against nature’s fury, if we take precautionary measures well in advance. For example, Tsunami warning systems have been installed in all major coastal areas of the country. Predictions for cyclones, which frequent the country, are near perfect nowadays. Both these advancements have saved many lives so far and will continue to do so in the coming years. Similarly, we will have to increase accuracy in predicting earthquakes and landslides.
If scientists taste success in these two areas it will be immensely beneficial for the Northeast. We are all aware that the ecology of the Northeast is a most fragile one. It should be delicately handled, which is not always possible due to the growing rate of population, urgency to catch up with the other parts of the world in terms of development, etc. Such activities have damaged the delicate ecology of the region considerably. The problem has been further compounded by global warming. As a result, while Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya are reeling under floods this monsoon, Manipur has witnessed two major landslides within a few days. The second one was not as devastating as the first one due to sheer luck. It will be a mistake to believe that luck will always be on our side. Thus, the need of the hour is to take precautionary measures by installing LEWS and ensuring that the ecology of the region is protected from harm. If we fail on these two counts, we stand at the mercy of Mother Nature.