What Are Some Warnings About Landslides? And What to do If Recognizing Them

People living in mountainous or sloping regions must be concerned about destructive hazards. These areas are prone to landslides. Sometimes, the signs of this disaster are present days before the catastrophe. Other times, this hazard occurs quickly, almost without warnings. What are some warnings about landslides?

The signs of landslides may come in various forms. Typically, people can recognize them after heavy rains or earthquakes. Therefore, they must be more aware of those signs during those times. Moreover, they must know what to do when they find those signs or get landslide warnings from local authorities. 

What are Some Warnings About Landslides?

Landslides are difficult to predict. Some landslides occur suddenly so people cannot escape from them. However, others develop slowly and give some warning signs. What are the warning signs of landslides? Below are signs of an impending mudflow in landslide-prone areas.

1. Cracks in the Ground

New cracks in the ground are signs of an impending landslide. They are signals for shifting ground. Experts call them tension cracks. Moreover, they are one of the most common signs of mudslides. 

These fractures have varying depths; some are shallow and others are deep. Ground cracks before landslides can be the result of poor farming practices, a combination of bad drainage systems, heavy rains, earthquakes, or volcanic activities. 

2. Bulges on the Ground

Another sign of a potential landslide is new bulges on the earth’s surface. Some people find those earthen mounds at the base of the slope. Others find them around their houses and paved areas.

Bulges on the earth indicate shifting ground. A moving ground is also characterized by other signs, such as leaning trees and utility poles. Moreover, sudden sunken ground and other deformation on the earth’s surface also indicate an impending landslide in sloping regions.

3. Water Changes

People can also get landslide signs from water. Before this disaster occurs, water may break through the earth’s surface in several new locations. Therefore, people must be cautious if they find flowing water on a slope.

Another sign that shows a looming mudslide is the sudden decrease of water in creeks. Moreover, people must be watchful if they recognize utility pipes broke suddenly or water unexpectedly saturates soils in areas that are typically dry.

4. Structural Damage

On structures, what are some warnings about landslides? Avalanche signs can be present on structures, such as houses, fences, roads, and retaining walls. A shifting ground can cause cracks in sidewalks, roads, walls, floors, and retaining walls.

Moreover, doors and windows that stick or jam for the first time are also results of moving ground before a mudflow or avalanche. Moving or tilting decks and other ancillary structures relative to the main house can indicate a potential landslide.

5. Unusual Sound

People living in landslide-prone areas often hear unusual sounds before an avalanche occurs. These sounds can be in various forms, such as boulders knocking together, rumbling sound, and trees cracking.

What to do When Recognizing Landslide Signs

Sometimes, landslides do not immediately happen after the appearance of those signs. Therefore, people living in landslide-prone areas have time to take some actions in response to these warnings. What must they do when recognizing the warning signs?

• Report to Local Authorities: Those who find new cracks, bulges, and other landslide signs should notify local authorities. After getting this notification, authorities will evaluate the slope condition and mitigate the disaster.

• Evacuate Immediately: It is crucial to evacuate immediately after recognizing signs of an impending landslide. Moreover, people must move to higher ground and avoid the landslide path during the evacuation process.

• Stay Alert: After recognizing landslide signs, people must be more alert. They can turn on the radio or watch TV and have their mobile phones nearby. Therefore, they can immediately get a landslide alert and information from authorities and follow their evacuation instructions.

The Importance of Landslide Early Warning System

Landslides are dangerous. They may kill many people, displace others, damage infrastructures, and more. Therefore, local authorities or government agencies must adopt a landslide warning system. As a result, they can immediately disseminate warning alerts when they find landslide signs.

The warning system can help people in the affected regions evacuate to safer places or avoid roads and other landslide-prone areas before the disaster occurs. Consequently, the system is excellent for minimizing the number of landslide victims.

What are some warnings about landslides? Cracks and bulges on the ground are some warnings of this disaster. After recognizing these signs, a landslide EWS will alert people in the affected areas. The alert is typically sent via the cell broadcast. Authorities can buy cell broadcast machines for their EWS on smsbroadcaster.com.