Maps highlight landslide risk areas

THE third wet summer in succession – rainfall for July alone was more than three times above normal in parts of Munster and Leinster – again sparks fears of landslides.

We’ve had several examples in recent years of unexpected slippages which are sometimes described as ‘Ireland’s greatest natural hazards’, given that we don’t have even more devastating phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanoes.

Landslides are on the increase due mainly to climate change and man’s activities, including wind farm construction. Most occur in elevated, bog-covered districts which are subject to very heavy rainfall. Well over 400 landslides have been recorded and damage caused has been well documented – houses, roads, bridges and even people have been swept away.