In theclimate changescenario, Goa will witness erratic rainfall patterns, which means not only long dry spells but also sudden bursts of heavy showers, which are known to triggerlandslides. Currently, the state is severely lacking in historic landslide data, making it difficult to predict vulnerable spots for the future.
To fill this data gap, researchers have decided to create an inventory of landslides with details of the time and rainfall received during the period to enable accurate prediction of landslides.
After the massive landslide in the forests of Satre in Sattari in 2021, the formed a committee to map landslide hotspots in Goa, and a few vulnerable spots were found, including at Satre and Mauxi in Sattari, areas near Sanvordem, and in parts of Canacona.
Mapping landslide vulnerability, identifying hotspots, developing a functional early warning system for the state, and creating a landslide inventory for Goa with time stamps and associated rainfall data are keys to saving lives in the future.