Archive · 21 Aug 2025
India's First 'Living Lab' to Combat Landslide Risk in Kerala
Imagine a village in Kerala, India, called Kanichar.
They are trying a new way to prepare for disasters like landslides, which are when the ground on a hill slides down.
It's like a science project in the real world, with experts, the government, and the villagers all working together.
They use special tools to measure the weather and give alerts.
Villagers share this information, helping everyone to stay safe.
This is a big deal because landslides can be dangerous, and this new system helps people get ready and know what to do if one happens.
Kanichar, Kerala, is India's first village to adopt a 'living lab' approach for disaster preparedness.
The 'living lab' approach integrates real-world settings with research to create and test solutions for climate sensitivity.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) implements the project to make households resilient to natural disasters.
Households receive weather data via a link and share information through ward-level WhatsApp groups.
An early landslide warning system and automatic weather stations are being implemented in the area.
- Who
- The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) and the residents of Kanichar.
- What
- Kanichar, Kerala, is implementing a 'living lab' approach for disaster preparedness.
- When
- The initiative is currently underway, with early warning systems and weather stations being implemented.
- Where
- Kanichar village, Kerala, India.
- Why
- To enhance climate sensitivity and people’s resilience capacity, particularly against landslides.
Landslide Mitigation
Landslide Risk Reduction
Approaches
Landslide Mitigation
Prioritize site-specific landslide mitigation
Landslide Risk Reduction
Address all components of landslide risk reduction and management
- Location
- Kanichar village, Kerala, India
- Focus
- Disaster preparedness
- Approach
- 'Living Lab'
- Implementing Body
- Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA)
- Landslide Risk
- 66.5% of landslides reported from the North-western Himalayas