Jhasmine A.

Gokita
ABM1102

The Nature of Landslides

Landslide is a powerful and destructive force that nature can create, it occurs whenever there are loose
soils loosened by rain, gravity or by erosion. Landslides make the ground unstable which is not safe for
people to settle.
Heavy rains triggers landslides in areas where there are loosen, fractured steep slopes. It usually occurs
where the natural landscapes are altered by people.
Barangays of Cebu City have been damaged by one of the most massive landslides that occurred,
hundreds of families were evacuated in Barangay Sirao, and ten vehicles were buried in Sitio Garahe.
In Barangay Uling, Naga at least 38 households were evacuated after a minor landslide occurred. All of
the other households were asked to go to a safer ground near the barangay hall because they were in the
danger zone after there were five houses that were directly affected by the landslide path.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recommended continuous monitoring of the tension cracks
because the toe of the landslide is still moving as Barangay Uling has a history of mass movement.
According to MGB-Central Visayas geologists, the presence of trees or any vegetation does not mean a
landslide wouldn’t occur, trees can could not reach the solid bed rock and trees can only hold up to four
meters deep. Before proceeding to any development it is important to understand the geological condition
of a property.
Geological hazard mapping in the country have been completed by the MGB. Several information,
education and communication campaigns were launched in the region including Cebu. Geohazard
workshops were held and involved the barangay captains, barangay councilors, teachers, barangay tanods,
local disaster risk reduction units and some officials of the people’s organization. Geohazard maps were
distributed throughout the region it includes map coordinates of specific geologically hazardous areas.
Specified areas that landslides have occurred may happen again. People who live in these areas are in
potential danger as there are still threats of landslides. Some people insist to stay in these areas while the
bureau recommends to avoid to live in these locations that are dangerous.
Local government officials are reminded by the MGB-Central Visayas Director Loreto Alburo to be
guided by the geohazard maps and implement early warning sign and conduct preemptive evacuation.

Reference:
The nature of landslides. (2017, January 20). Retrieved October 4, 2018, from
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/121566