Nilgiris, located at the junction of eastern and western Ghats, faces multiple hazards including earthquakes, landslides, and heavy rainfall. A community-based disaster risk reduction program has been initiated, enhancing preparedness and response measures, including the establishment of emergency operation centers and the training of village-level disaster management leaders. Various structural and organizational improvements have been made, including the relocation of vulnerable families and the implementation of safety regulations for construction.

1. Nilgiris lies at the junction of Eastern and Western Ghats
– an integral part of Western Ghats

2.  At an altitude of 900 Meters- 2636 Meters
 Most habitations lie on the mountain range
 Multi hazard prone
 Disasters like earthquake (zone 3), Heavy downpour,
Landslide, Hailstorm, Flash flood

3. .
Landslide Zonation Map- Moderately High HazardLandslide Zonation Map- Moderately High Hazard
( Source. Geologic Survey of India (GSI).
.
Highly landslide prone area - Red dots indicate the places where landslides occurred

4. • 106 vulnerable locations identified by GSI in the Nilgiris
• Recorded history of landslides from 1891
 Last in 2009, loss of 46 lives
 Change in nature of disasters
 Hailstorm in 2012- 6 inch thick carpet
of hailstones at Doddabetta Thumanatty

5. • Shift in focus of the GOI – UNDP initiated Community Based
Programme from Disaster Risk Management Programme to
Disaster Risk Reduction Programme

6. • District Disaster Management Plan –
Prepared and updated
• Functioning of Emergency Operation Centers
• 24x7(During Monsoons) – District – Taluk level – Department level
• Monsoon Preparedness
• Cleaning of Culverts for free flow of rain water by
Highways dept, urban and rural local bodies
• Maintenance of buffer stocks of essential commodities
and fuel in petrol bunks
• Loping of dangerous trees on road sides

7. • Enabling the field level functionaries
• Supply of specialised vehicles ,emergency kits , wireless
power saw, etc – funds from State Govt, HADP.
• Safe Shelters
• Increased from 89 to 957 (with habitation wise coordinates)
• Village Level DM leaders
• Akin to booth level officers in election scenario-
volunteers training -tie up with IRCS
• Regular monitoring of IMD warnings
• Dissemination of warnings to lower level
• Simple Warning System
• Connecting the last Mile – New Approach
• Can be operated from Emergency Managers
end to the village through mobile phone
• Pilot Project in 35 Habitations under HADP funding
• Coordination/ Training/ Mock drill with Inter
departments, 6th
battalion, MRC, Cordite Factory ,

8. • District Level Training
For officials and NGOs
• Village Level Trainings
Certificates issued to Volunteers
• Training for all stake holders
• Observation of International
Day for Disaster Reduction (Oct 13th )
Competitions in Schools and Colleges
- extensive use of electronic media
• Mock drills
Village Level and School Level

9. • Identification of vulnerable locations
• Relocated 47 families
from places like Allanchi , Marapalam
• Hill Area Building rules followed
Master Plan, Geo-tech Rules
• Soil conservation measures
Retaining Wall, Geo mat (Jute), Gabion structures
• Controlling the usage of Earth movers & JCB (prior
permission of DC required , usage for Agri purpose
completely banned ), Mining (banned)
Loose boulder check
Cost effective terracing
using vegetative barrier
RR supporting wall protecting the road side
Achanacal - After treatmentAchanacal Landslide scar -