Landslide Susceptibility Map and Housing: A Case of Kerala

One of the nation’s most susceptible to natural disasters is India. It has had some of the deadliest cyclones, earthquakes, chemical accidents, landslides, head-on air collisions in mid-air, rail catastrophes, and traffic accidents in the history of the planet. The 2010–2020 decade is expected to experience an increase in the frequency of landslides compared to earlier decades. In several areas of India, particularly in the Himalaya, the north-eastern hill ranges, the Western Ghats, the Nilgiris, the Eastern Ghats, and the Vindhya, landslides are among the most dangerous hydro-geological dangers. Up until September 2022, 10 Indian states reported 182 landslide-related fatalities in various locations, according to data from the National Emergency Response Centre of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Kerala is one of the most densely populated states in India, with 860 people per square kilometre, making it more vulnerable to landslide losses and damages due to its heavy rainfall pattern and the presence of the Western Ghats. This paper aims to develop a clear understanding of landslides, their occurrence mapping, their effects on housing, and how early detection of landslide helps in displacing and evacuation of public. The review addresses the exigency of Landslide Susceptibility Maps in the field of Housing planning with context to state of Kerala in India.