In 2024, Papua New Guinea suffered a landslide. This disaster was like a nightmare and brought great pain to the local people. The reason is the result of the interweaving and joint action of multiple factors.
I. Causes of the disaster
1. The ravages of extreme weather
The abnormally strong rainfall poured down in the tropical rainy season. The continuous rain quickly saturated the soil, and the mountain lost its original stability, as if it was on the edge of collapse, and eventually triggered a large-scale landslide.
2. Earthquakes fueled the flames
Papua New Guinea, located in the Pacific Rim seismic belt, has frequent seismic activity. The earthquake in 2024 was like the last straw, making the already loose mountain more likely to collapse, providing additional triggering force for the landslide.
3. Congenital hidden dangers of geological terrain
The complex geological structure and steep mountain terrain are like a hidden bomb. The rock layer is fragile and loose, and the soil cover is shallow. Under the influence of external forces, landslides are imminent.
4. The risk of dense population is amplified
Some mountainous areas have a relatively concentrated population, and the imperfect infrastructure makes transportation and communication paralyzed instantly when landslides occur, and the casualties and property losses are increasingly severe, and the consequences of the disaster are infinitely magnified.
5. Negative effects of deforestation
The long-standing problem of deforestation has destroyed the fixing effect of tree roots on the soil, causing the soil to lose its natural protective barrier and become more unstable, further exacerbating the risk of landslides.
II. Countermeasures
1. Early warning
Meteorological monitoring: With the help of meteorological radar, satellite data and ground meteorological stations, keep a close eye on changes in precipitation, wind speed, temperature, etc., and predict landslide risks in advance.
Geological monitoring: Install various monitoring equipment, such as tilt sensors, crack monitors, groundwater level monitors, etc., to grasp the dynamics of soil and mountains in real time.
Remote sensing survey: Use satellite images and remote sensing technology to regularly scan mountainous areas, accurately identify potential landslide areas and assess risk levels.
2. Stabilize the foundation
Slope protection
Vegetation restoration: Planting trees and grasses allows plant roots to penetrate deep into the soil, enhance soil cohesion, and prevent soil erosion.
Bioengineering measures: Use natural materials to reinforce slopes, such as hemp ropes and grass nets, to reduce the risk of landslides. Geotechnical engineering technology**
Slope reinforcement: Use anchoring, spray anchors, wire mesh reinforcement and other means to improve slope stability.
Interception and support: Build retaining walls and retaining walls, especially in steep areas, to prevent soil and rock from sliding.
Drainage system: Lay drainage pipes and ditches to prevent excessive water from infiltrating the soil and reduce landslide risks.
3. Efficient early warning
Early warning system: Combine ground monitoring data, use advanced algorithms to predict the time and location of landslides, realize automatic alarms, and ensure timely information transmission.
Community education: Strengthen landslide knowledge training and emergency escape skills training for mountain residents so that they can evacuate quickly and safely when disasters occur.
4. Strengthen infrastructure
Protection projects: Build special anti-landslide projects in high-risk areas, such as landslide retaining walls and layered support systems to protect traffic arteries and densely populated areas.
Road reconstruction: Clear or reconstruct roads in areas where landslides frequently occur to ensure that traffic lifelines are unobstructed.
5. Post-disaster response
Rapid rescue: Form a professional rapid response team, equipped with excavators, rescue dogs, life detectors and other equipment, to race against time to carry out search and rescue work.
Restoration and reconstruction: The government and relevant agencies fully support post-disaster mountain restoration and infrastructure reconstruction to help residents regain confidence in life.
6. Technology support
Anti-skid net protection: Hang anti-skid nets such as wire mesh and steel mesh on steep slopes to fix sliding rocks and soil and reduce the occurrence of landslides.
Reinforcement treatment: Use chemical agents such as cement and lime to enhance the soil’s anti-skid ability, which is suitable for soft or high-humidity soil areas.
Soil stabilization: Strengthen fragile soil structure with the help of soil stabilizers such as polymer solutions or cement-like substances.
7. Ecological restoration
Planning land: Conduct comprehensive geological surveys and risk assessments in mountainous areas, avoid construction in high-risk areas, and limit development activities.
Forest protection actions: Strengthen forest protection, reduce logging and mining, restore forest ecology, and maintain hydrological and soil stability.
8. Collaborative disaster prevention
Actively work with other countries and international organizations to introduce advanced protection technologies and solutions. With the financial and technical support of the World Bank, the United Nations and other institutions, we will enhance the ability to protect against landslides.
III. Superpangol: The power to protect hope
The Superpangol disaster solution expert team has always been at the forefront of disaster prevention and relief. With our profound experience, superb skills and advanced equipment, we have created a sky of hope for the affected people. Whether it is the innovation of monitoring and early warning technology, the implementation of protection projects, or the implementation of rescue operations, we will go all out. Adhering to the firm belief of “making the world less hurt”, we are willing to work with all parties to jointly build a solid disaster protection system. If you are facing the problem of landslide or other disaster protection and urgently need professional help, don’t hesitate to contact us immediately! Super Pangolin will be your strongest backer, fighting alongside you to protect the peace of life and home. Let us work together to overcome disasters and welcome a better tomorrow.
