Effects of Landslide to Human Beings and How to Minimize Them

Landslides are common geological phenomena that occur in sloping regions, such as mountainsides and hillsides. They can turn into devastating disasters because they are difficult to predict and anticipate. In addition, this calamity causes various effects of landslide to human beings.

Therefore, people living on hillsides and mountainsides must be aware of the landslide risks that are present in their communities. Governments and authorities must also have strategies to minimize the effects of a landslide.

The Effects of Landslide to Human Beings

A landslide has direct and indirect effects on the environment. This disaster can directly change the landscape of a hillside or a mountainside. In the long term, this region may have a steeper sloping angle which increases the landslide risks in the area. 

In the long term, ground movement can also endanger indigenous animals and plants. This catastrophe also affects humans’ lives in many ways. What effects do landslides have on humans?

1. Loss of Lives and Injuries

During a landslide, a mass of earth falls suddenly at a fast speed. Consequently, people cannot run away from this moving ground. 

Sometimes, this mass of the earth will bury people alive. Moreover, rescue teams require heavy equipment and hours to save them from under the debris. Therefore, these teams cannot save their lives in time and many landslide victims die under the debris.

Other times, fallen rocks from a landslide injured people. They cause broken bones and head trauma. In the US, 15 to 50 people die and over 100 people suffer from injuries due to landslides per year.

2. Psychological Trauma

One of the harmful effects of landslide to human beings is psychological trauma. Physical injuries, such as broken bones, need a long time to recover. These injuries will prevent landslide victims from working and doing things they like.

This condition can lead to various mental health issues, e.g., depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Similar problems may also befall landslide victims who lose their loved ones, homes, or other precious belongings. 

3. Long-Term Health Impact

Landslides may cause long-term health issues. The ground movement during this disaster can damage the water supply system and sanitation in the affected region. 

This condition can lead to contaminated drinking water. Consequently, people in the location will catch infections caused by water-borne bacteria. 

In addition, landslides can reduce water supply and water quality. This circumstance will raise some health issues in the region. Landslides may also block roads and damage hospitals. Consequently, people will have difficulties accessing healthcare services.

4. Infrastructural Damage 

Mudflows and rock avalanches can destroy utilities, roads, and other infrastructure. This damage is harmful to landslide victims. Due to his damage, they cannot travel freely and must find alternative routes to reach their destinations. Moreover, it gives them difficulties in accessing public services.

5. Financial Loss and Economic Disruption

Other effects of landslide on humans are financial loss and economic disruption. In most cases, the moving ground destroys houses and all the valuable things inside these houses.   Consequently, many people suffer from financial loss due to landslides.

Moreover, landslides also damage commercial buildings and infrastructure. As a result, business owners cannot continue their businesses for a long period. This condition will surely lead to economic disruption in the affected area.

6. Disrupted Public Services

Aside from causing financial loss, landslides also disturb public services. Damaged infrastructure, hospitals, schools, banks, and other public structures are common after a mudflow and rock avalanche. 

Therefore, these offices cannot operate as usual. Consequently, public services available in those office buildings cannot be accessed by communities. 

7. Social Disruption

Social disruption may also happen after landslides. Due to these hazards, many people are displaced. As a result, they must relocate to new locations or live in refugee camps. This condition may lead to disrupter social structures and social life.

Reducing Landslide Risks to Minimize Landslide Impact

The effects of landslide to human beings are disastrous. Therefore, local authorities or governments must have effective strategies to reduce landslide risks. 

1. Structural Strategies

Governments can mitigate landslide risks by installing or building particular structures, such as retaining walls, geosynthetics, gabion walls, and steel piers. Some of these structures offer additional support to the slope. Therefore, the ground has less chance of moving.

In addition, some structures can improve drainage. Consequently, erosion will not easily occur during heavy rains. Therefore, landslides can be prevented during the rainy season.

2. Non-Structural Strategies

Governments must also have non-structural measures to mitigate landslide risks. Wireless early warning systems, emergency response plans, and improving public awareness are crucial in reducing the number of landslide victims.

The effects of landslide to human beings and the environment are harmful. However, authorities or governments can mitigate this disaster. They can build particular structures on sloping areas to reduce landslide risks. They can also use wireless alert broadcasters from smsbroadcaster.com to warn communities of this hazard.