Source: Th
Context: Frequent mass wasting in Tibet’s Sedongpu Gully, upstream of the Brahmaputra, has become a concern for India, especially the Northeast.
Since 2017, warming and seismic activity have triggered landslides, adding millions of cubic meters of debris to the Yarlung Tsangpo River, posing a risk of river choking and flash floods downstream in Assam and Bangladesh. Increasing sedimentation could exacerbate flood hazards, affect navigation, and threaten livelihoods.
What is Mass Wasting?
Mass wasting, also known as mass movement, is the downhill movement of soil, rock, and debris under the influence of gravity. It occurs when the force of gravity exceeds the strength of the materials on a slope, causing them to shift downward. This process can be triggered by factors such as weathering, water saturation, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and human actions like deforestation or mining. Types of mass wasting include landslides, rockfalls, avalanches, and soil creep, varying in speed and volume.
