Unusually high level of landslides worldwide, over 1 000 fatalities so far this year
Image credit: اقای mr 100 rupee
More than 1 000 people have been killed across the world so far this year as a result of an unusually high number of landslides, according to landslides expert Dr. Dave Petley, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) at the University of Sheffield, UK.
Even though the first 3 months of the year are usually the least active period, 2019 has already seen an unusual level of landsliding worldwide, with fatalities totaling over 1 000 to date, Petley said April 18.
"Significant losses have occurred in rainfall-induced events in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia and in East Asia, as well as in mining and construction induced landslides."
In his latest post, showcasing a dramatic debris video, Petley said parts of the Himalayas are suffering from unusual levels of pre-monsoon rainfall, with substantial losses from landslides and floods.
The Jammu-Srinagar highway, for example, has been blocked repeatedly over the last few weeks, and there have been several fatal landslides in Pakistan this year already.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
