1998 Malpa landslide

The 1998 Malpa landslide was a catastrophic geological event that occurred on August 2, 1998, near the small village of Malpa in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. Triggered by incessant rainfall and subsequent soil saturation, the landslide resulted in the sudden collapse of a mountainside, burying a significant portion of the village and disrupting vital transport routes, particularly the national highway. The disaster claimed the lives of over 200 individuals, including both local residents and pilgrims en route to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, highlighting the region's vulnerability to natural disasters. The Malpa landslide underscored the critical need for improved disaster preparedness and management strategies in hilly terrains of India, with long-lasting implications for local infrastructure and community resilience.