D - Kalimpong Landslides (Case Study) Flashcards
Where is Kalimpong located and what is its geographical significance?
Kalimpong is a hill station in West Bengal, India, situated at an altitude of 1,250 meters overlooking the Teesta River.
What is the significance of the Dumsi Pakha area in Kalimpong?
Dumsi Pakha, an area of comparatively low wealth below the main town, exemplifies how urban mismanagement in steep terrains can lead to severe landslide problems.
What are the two key factors contributing to landslide risks in Kalimpong?
The primary factors are poor water management and slope disruption.
How does poor water management contribute to landslides in this area?
Uncontrolled discharge of water from Kalimpong into gullies running through Dumsi Pakha, combined with clogged channels due to garbage and large monsoon flows, leads to significant instability along the banks.
How do construction practices exacerbate slope instability?
In some parts of the settlement, houses are built on terraces created by excavating into the slope. This process steepens the adjacent slope, increasing the risk of landslides.
What additional infrastructure issues worsen the situation?
The lack of proper sewers and storm drains means large volumes of water flow unregulated during heavy rains, and the dumping of construction waste near the town adds extra weight to already unstable slopes.
