Landslide Risk Mitigation.. Repair Works Taken Up at Arunachalam

A major landslide struck Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu on December 1, 2024, following heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Fengal. Huge rocks and debris came down from the Annamalaiyar Hill and hit houses below, killing seven members of a family. Following the tragedy, the state government has stepped up efforts to reduce landslide risks and protect the vulnerable hill areas of Tiruvannamalai.

The Green Tamil Nadu Mission has undertaken detailed studies of the hills, including the collection and testing of soil and rock samples. Drone surveys, satellite mapping and studies of rainfall-driven water flow are being used to identify vulnerable areas and understand landslide risks. The project covers 962 hectares and has been divided into 16 micro-watersheds, with phased measures planned for slope stabilisation, water-flow management and ecological restoration.