Around 8,000 people around the world are killed by landslides every year. Surviving a debris or mud landslide depends on being awake at the time of its formation and being aware of what is happening. If you find yourself in the middle of a landslide, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of survival, as described in this article.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Knowing the Risks
Step 1. Know what constitutes a landslide
These are masses of rock, earth or debris that move along a slope. Landslides can be small or large, slow or fast. They are usually triggered by severe thunderstorms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fires and human alterations of the terrain.
- Debris and mud streams are rivers of rock, earth, and other soil debris that are saturated with water. They develop when water quickly builds up in the earth during heavy rains or rapid snow melt, turning the soil into a river of mud and dirt.
- These streams can flow rapidly, arriving with little or no warning at the speed of avalanches. They can travel several kilometers from their point of origin, growing in size by gathering trees, boulders, cars, and other materials along the way.
Step 2. Always be aware of the environment around you
If you live in a landslide-prone area, or go to these places, it is important that you observe the geological features of the place and be aware of the potential risk of a landslide. See if around there are:
- Changes in normal activities in the environment, such as the creation of rainwater discharge areas along the slopes (especially in places where the flow of water converges), movements of earth, small slides, streams or trees that tend to incline progressively.
- Doors or windows that lock for the first time.
- New cracks appearing in plaster, tile, brick or foundation.
- The exterior walls, walkways, or stairs that begin to detach from the building.
- A slow development and widening of cracks that appear on the ground or on paved areas such as driveways or driveways.
- The underground utility pipes that break.
- Ground swells that appear at the base of a slope.
- The water that breaks the surface of the ground in new places.
- Fences, retaining walls, light poles, or trees that lean or move.
- Ground that slopes downward in one direction and can begin to move in that direction underfoot.
- Unusual noises, such as crackling of trees or boulders hitting each other, could indicate moving debris. A trickle of flowing or falling mud or debris can be a precursor to large landslides. Moving debris can flow quickly and sometimes without warning.
- A sound such as a faint rumbling increasing in volume is an obvious sign that a landslide is approaching.
- While driving, you can see collapsing sidewalks, mud, fallen rocks, and other signs of possible debris flows (embankments along roadsides are particularly prone to landslides).
Step 3. Always be alert and alert
If there are any signs in your area like the ones listed above, don't go to sleep. Many landslide deaths occur when people sleep. Listen to the weather on a portable radio or television for up-to-date news on heavy rainfall.
Be aware that intense, short bursts of rain can be particularly dangerous, especially after periods of heavy rain and prolonged wet weather
Step 4. Consider moving away from the area
If you are in areas at risk of landslides and mudslides, consider whether it is safe to move.
Immediately remove weaker people to safer areas as a precaution
Part 2 of 3: During a landslide
Step 1. If you are suddenly or suddenly stuck in the house, move upstairs if possible
Staying out of the path of the landslide or debris flow can save your life.
Step 2. If you are near a stream or canal, beware of any sudden increase or decrease in the flow of water and if the water becomes muddy from clear
Such changes can indicate landslide activity upstream, so be prepared to move quickly. Do not wait! Save yourself, not your belongings.
Step 3. Be especially careful if you are driving
Roadside embankments are particularly susceptible to landslides. Check the road if you see that it has collapsed, if there is mud, fallen rocks and other indications of possible debris flows.
A landslide can completely overwhelm a car on a road that is in its path
Step 4. Whenever you are in the path of a landslide or debris stream, move away as fast as possible
If you can't escape, curl up in a tight ball and protect your head with your hands or a helmet.
Part 3 of 3: After a landslide
The danger did not end when the landslide was over. It may not be the only landslide, and damage left in the wake of its path can present many risks. There are a number of things you should do to minimize the danger.
Step 1. Stay away from the landslide area
There may be a danger of further falls.
Step 2. Check for injured and trapped people near the landslide, without entering the area directly
Report these people to help.
Step 3. Check for any related hazards, such as electricity, water, gas, broken sewer lines and damaged roads and railways
Step 4. Return home with caution
If you have moved away from your property or home to travel to a safer area, be very careful when you return. Among the things to consider are:
- Keep in mind that driving home can be both physically and mentally demanding. Most importantly, be cautious.
- Bring a battery-powered radio with you so you can hear emergency news, reports and updates.
- Use a battery-powered flashlight to inspect the damaged house. Be sure to turn it on outside, before entering, as the battery can produce a spark that could cause gas to explode if there are leaks.
- Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to knock on the debris.
- Use your phone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
- Stay away from the streets. If you have to go out, check for fallen objects, downed electric poles; the broken wires, the weakened walls, the bridges, the streets and the sidewalks.
Step 5. Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage
If you have any concerns about safety, have your property inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.
Step 6. Do not enter the house if:
- You smell gas.
- Water floods remain around the building.
- The house was damaged in a fire and the authorities did not declare it safe.
Step 7. Consider a long-term renovation
To avoid possible future dangerous landslides, consider making some interventions in this sense:
- Rearrange damaged soil as soon as possible, as erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to rapid flooding and further landslides in the future.
- Seek the advice of a geology technician to assess the risk of landslides or design corrective techniques to reduce the risk.
Advice
- If you suspect the danger of a landslide, contact the fire brigade, police or civil protection in your area. Local officials are the best people who can assess the potential danger.
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There is a wide variety of possible landslides and familiarizing yourself with the surrounding environment can help you understand the different possibilities and risks. Some types of landslides are:
- By scrolling: movement parallel to the plane of friable material and, occasionally, parallel to the slope.
- From pouring: gradual movement of sloping materials.
- From collapse: complex movement of materials on a slope; includes rotation of collapsed material.
- By overturning: rolling movement of rocks along a slope, free fall of material.
- From flow: fluid and viscous movement of debris.
- From torrent: a sporadic and sudden canalized discharge of water and debris.
