The Western Ghats, the most prominent orographic feature of peninsular India, occupying about 47% of Kerala state, is vulnerable to various types of landslides. The occurrence of cataclysmic landslides along the windward slope of Western Ghats during torrential rainfall is attributed to the unique physiography and climate. A disastrous landslide occurred in the Pettimudi village of Idukki district, Kerala State at 2245 h (UTC+5.30) on 6 August 2020 due to heavy downpour. A preliminary analysis was carried out to understand the characteristics of the event and to investigate the slope failure mechanisms. The landslide was initiated on the steep slopes of Shola forest and was slid through the tea plantations. The dimensions of the landslide scar were measured as 1200m in length, 30-120m width, 3-7m depth and 125m height. An approximate area of 70125 m2 was estimated to be affected by the landslide. The heavy downpour which is thought to trigger the Pettimudi landslide was measured as 61.6 cm/day, the highest ever recorded in the area.The disaster caused 66 fatalities of residents, among which four are still missing, making it the most catastrophic landslide event reported in the state.

中文翻译：

---

对 2020 年 8 月 6 日发生在印度喀拉拉邦佩蒂穆迪的灾难性滑坡事件的初步分析

西高止山脉是印度半岛最突出的地形特征，约占喀拉拉邦的 47%，容易发生各种类型的山体滑坡。暴雨期间西高止山脉迎风坡发生灾难性山体滑坡是由于独特的地貌和气候造成的。由于倾盆大雨，喀拉拉邦 Idukki 区 Pettimudi 村于 2020 年 8 月 6 日 2245 时（UTC+5.30）发生了灾难性的山体滑坡。进行了初步分析，以了解事件的特征并研究边坡破坏机制。滑坡始于Shola森林的陡坡，并滑过茶园。滑坡疤痕尺寸为长1200m，宽30-120m，深3-7m，高125m。估计约有 70125 平方米的面积受滑坡影响。被认为引发 Pettimudi 山体滑坡的倾盆大雨为 61.6 厘米/天，是该地区有史以来的最高记录。这场灾难造成 66 名居民死亡，其中 4 人仍然失踪，成为报告的最严重的山体滑坡事件在该州。