What Are the Warning Signs of Landslides Triggered by Typhoon Rainstorms?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Security Rescue · 更新 at 2026-10-16
Listen: Capturing the "Fracture Sounds" from Deep Within the Earth
Continuous heavy rainfall brought by typhoons can rapidly saturate soil moisture on mountainsides, causing a sharp drop in shear strength. In the minutes to hours before a landslide occurs, the release of internal stress within rock and soil masses is often accompanied by specific sounds, which serve as the most direct signal for escape.
Pay close attention to the following three types of abnormal sounds: First, deep muffled rumbles. If you hear low-pitched roaring similar to distant thunder from deep within the slope, or "cracking" sounds of rocks squeezing and rubbing against each other, it usually indicates that internal displacement or fracturing has occurred within the rock mass. Second, unusual noises from trees. If you hear sounds of trees suddenly tilting, snapping, or being uprooted during periods without strong winds, it suggests that the underlying soil layer is becoming unstable and sliding. Third, noises from water flow. If clear mountain streams suddenly become turbid, or if the sound of flowing water is mixed with the impact noises of large amounts of sediment and stones, it is highly likely a precursor to small-scale collapses or debris flows upstream. Once such abnormal sounds are detected, do not hesitate; immediately evacuate to higher ground on both sides, and strictly avoid running along the direction of the valley.
Look: Identifying the "Transformation" of the Surface and Environment
Visual observation is another line of defense in predicting geological disasters. During heavy rain and in the immediate aftermath, focus on checking for the following subtle changes:
- Surface Cracks and Bulges: Check for new cracks in front of or behind your house, or at the foot of slopes, or whether existing cracks are rapidly widening or extending. If cracks are distributed in an arc shape and accompanied by local bulging or subsidence of the soil, these are typical features of an impending landslide.
- Sudden Changes in Water Bodies: Closely monitor well water, spring water, and reservoirs. If water levels rise or fall dramatically, or if water quality changes from clear to turbid with bubbles emerging, it indicates changes in the underground rock and soil structure, where groundwater migration channels are either blocked or connected.
- Structural Damage to Buildings: Observe whether new diagonal cracks appear on house walls, whether doors and windows suddenly become stuck and difficult to open, or whether floors buckle without cause. These are all signs that the foundation is affected by uneven settlement or lateral thrust.
- Abnormal Animal Behavior: Although not an absolute basis, if you discover burrowing animals like snakes and rats emerging from their holes on a large scale, or if poultry and livestock appear frightened, restless, and refuse to enter their enclosures, you should heighten your alertness in combination with other warning signs.
Prevent: Building a "Lifeline" for Scientific Evacuation
Prevention is better than disaster relief; the key lies in sensitivity to warning information and decisiveness in action. When meteorological departments issue red warnings for heavy rain or meteorological risk warnings for geological disasters, danger is imminent. Specific execution standards for school suspensions, work stoppages, and business closures may vary by location; please strictly adhere to the latest announcements issued by local governments.
In daily preparedness, it is recommended to familiarize yourself in advance with emergency shelters and evacuation routes around your residence, avoiding selecting temporary shelter points in low-lying areas or beneath steep slopes. Once any of the above signs are detected, you must follow the principle of "life first," do not cling to possessions, and immediately organize your family to quickly move to higher ground on both sides perpendicular to the direction of the landslide. At the same time, ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and communication remains open to receive official warning instructions in real time. Disaster prevention awareness must be maintained at all times; do not take chances. Real-time typhoon tracks can be queried at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com)
This article is original educational content from TyphoonSays. Please refer to the latest official announcements from local governments for policy standards.