Fate of Parashar Landslide

Landslides and other related phenomena are detrimental to the economy as well as the population of Mandi district. The district has faced unprecedented amounts of rainfall, which in turn have led to the occurrence of landslides in the district. Last year, the region experienced cloudburst and flash flood situations in and around Baggi area. These increased precipitation have led to a massive landslide in Parashar area thereby causing damage to the existing bridge.

The destroyed bridge served as a main source of communication between the higher elevation village and Mandi main town. Further, it was reported by many commuters that cracks were developed along the existing landslides. Recent visit on 21st January by member of lab (Dr. Dericks, NItesh, Kirti and Nishant) conducted a drone survey around the affected areas. The drone survey revealed about the development of new cracks in the crown part of the existing landslide which can lead to development of potential slip surface in near surface if not warned timely. Thus, it is required that these areas should be kept under strict supervision. 

Landslide Susceptibility Mapping of Kangra district

Ankit Singh

Landslides have posed a significant threat to the nation's economy. To minimize the losses caused due to it, a landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) is important for future planning and management. In this article, Probable landslide locations in the Kangra district were identified using an integrated approach of landslide dataset, geoenvironmental factors, and statistical method. Results showed that the popular tourist location Dharmashala is under a zone of very high susceptibility. Thus, it is important to analyse the reasons and implement suitable measures to avoid any loss of property and lives.

Groundwater Quality in Punjab areas

Harsimran Romana

Groundwater research holds immense significance as it sustains ecosystems, agriculture, and drinking water supplies worldwide. Understanding its dynamics is crucial for managing water scarcity, mitigating contamination risks, and ensuring sustainable development. Research helps predict aquifer behaviour, aiding in disaster preparedness and resource allocation. Moreover, groundwater serves as a buffer against droughts, providing resilience to changing climatic patterns. Investigating its interactions with surface water bodies is vital for preserving aquatic ecosystems. My research focuses on anthropogenic induced groundwater quality and quantity deterioration in Punjab, India. I utilize spatial tools, drinking quality index and irrigation indices to understand the evolution of groundwater in the last 2 decades. My results show that according to WQI analysis, in the year 2000, 13.01% of sampling locations are categorized as very poor and 20% as unsuitable for drinking. Meanwhile, in 2020, 6.35% of locations are categorized as very poor and 12.38% as unsuitable for drinking in the study area. In addition to the effect on plant growth, consumption of contaminated water can adversely affect human health. The health hazards for F¯ (HQF) and NO3¯ (HQN) and their total health index (THI) are also evaluated that depicts 244 groundwater sampling sites in the year 2000, and 152 sampling sites in the year 2020 show high non-carcinogenic effects on adults; children and infants. Southwestern Punjab is worst affected while north-eastern regions drained by Himalayan rivers show better quality water. Shifting in agricultural practices during 2 decades result in deteriorating water levels and quality of the Southern region as indicated by geospatial analysis.