Know the High-Risk Zones
Awareness begins with knowing your area's risk level. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have identified numerous landslide-prone areas across the city. The eastern suburbs have the highest concentration
of these zones, with areas like Ghatkopar, Kurla, Vikhroli, Bhandup, and Chembur being particularly vulnerable. These locations often feature steep, hilly terrain combined with dense, informal settlements where construction may have disturbed the natural stability of the slopes. Rapid and often unchecked urbanisation has left many parts of the city susceptible. Authorities often issue notices to residents in these high-risk zones, urging them to relocate to safer places during periods of heavy rainfall. Paying attention to these official advisories is the first line of defence.
Watch for Changes in the Ground
The ground itself often provides the clearest hints of instability. Be vigilant for new cracks appearing in the soil, on pavements, or on concrete floors and foundations. These cracks may slowly widen over time. Another tell-tale sign is bulging or heaving ground at the base of a slope. Look around your neighbourhood for tilting trees, fences, or utility poles, which indicate that the soil beneath them is shifting. The land may also seem to slope or shift slightly under your feet. These are direct visual clues that the earth is moving, and they should be treated with utmost seriousness, especially after intense or prolonged rain.
Listen for Unusual Sounds
Sometimes, the first warning of a landslide is not something you see, but something you hear. Residents near previous landslides have reported hearing faint, unusual sounds that grow louder as the event becomes imminent. Listen for sounds like trees cracking, boulders knocking together, or a faint rumbling that increases in volume. Some have described the sound of an approaching landslide as being similar to the ground groaning or the vibrations of a passing train. These noises are caused by the friction and movement of debris, soil, and rock. During a heavy storm, especially at night when visibility is low, staying alert and awake to these auditory clues can be life-saving.
Monitor Water Flow and Appearance
Water is the primary trigger for most monsoon landslides, and its behaviour can signal danger. Be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water levels in nearby streams or channels. A crucial sign is a change in water clarity; if a stream that is normally clear suddenly turns muddy, it could mean that soil and debris are collapsing into it upstream. Also, watch for water breaking through the ground's surface in new locations where you haven't seen it before, or for new, unusually active springs on a hillside. These signs indicate that the ground is over-saturated and may be losing its ability to hold together.
Check Your Home for Clues
Your own house can act as an early warning system. Pay close attention to doors and windows that suddenly begin to stick or jam for the first time. This can happen when the foundation of the building shifts, even slightly. New cracks appearing in plaster, tile, brickwork, or foundations are also significant red flags. You might also notice outside walls, stairways, or walkways pulling away from the main building structure. Another critical sign is the breaking of underground utility lines, such as water or sewer pipes, without an obvious cause. These subtle structural changes can signal that the ground supporting your home is unstable.
