March 26, 2026

Mar 26, 2026 | Daily Landslide Blog

Daily Landslide Observatory Report: March 26, 2026

1. USA: Crews Scaling Unstable Slope to Reopen I-5 Near Bellingham

The primary transit corridor between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., remains severed as of today, March 26, 2026, following a massive landslide on March 19.

  • The Operation: Following the successful removal of “bus-sized” boulders earlier this week, specialized contractor crews from Interwest Construction are now scaling the 80-foot cliff. This involves using air compressors and hand tools to manually dislodge loose rock and cut trees at the top of the slope to prevent further movement.
  • The Scale: WSDOT estimates that between 5,000 and 6,000 tons of material—roughly 300 truckloads—must be hauled away. However, geotechnical engineers have emphasized that they will not begin mass hauling until the upper slope is stabilized to ensure the safety of ground crews.
  • Risk Reduction: WSDOT is utilizing real-time geotechnical monitoring to look for additional cracking in rock formations. They have issued a strict no-drone policy over the site, as unauthorized flights interfere with emergency survey operations.
  • More Info: WSDOT Official Emergency Project Page | KIRO 7 News Seattle Update

 

2. Hawaii: Governor Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for “Kona Low” Damage

Following two consecutive and catastrophic “Kona Low” storm systems (March 10–16 and March 19–22), Hawaii Governor Josh Green officially requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the White House on March 24–25.

  • The Event: The back-to-back storms triggered historic flash flooding and landslides across all islands. Initial damage assessments exceed $400 million for the first storm alone, with the total expected to rise significantly.
  • Impact: On Oʻahu’s North Shore, mudslides and rockfalls isolated communities and destroyed critical infrastructure. The Wahiawā Dam emergency, which prompted the evacuation of 5,500 residents, underscored the vulnerability of aging infrastructure to extreme saturation.
  • Risk Reduction Goal: If approved, the declaration will unlock FEMA funding for Hazard Mitigation, specifically to strengthen slopes and infrastructure against the increasing frequency of subtropical “Kona” cyclones.
  • More Info: NASA Earth Observatory: Kona Storms Flood Oʻahu | Kauai Now News

 

3. Nepal: 604 Landslides Recorded as NDRRMA Releases Annual Disaster Report

In a comprehensive data release on March 26, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) detailed the heavy toll of geohazards over the past 11 months.

  • The Data: A total of 604 significant landslides were recorded during this period, contributing to a total of 479 disaster-related deaths nationwide.
  • Recent Activity: In the 24 hours between March 24 and March 25 alone, 26 separate disaster incidents were reported across the country as the region transitions toward the pre-monsoon season.
  • Engineering Context: The high frequency of landslides in Nepal is closely linked to seismic sensitization from smaller earthquakes (7 recorded in the report period) combined with “heavy rain” events (442 recorded), which act on fragile Himalayan slopes often disturbed by unplanned road construction.
  • More Info: Nepal News: 7231 disaster incidents across the country

 

Technical Spotlight: Seiche Waves and Landslide-Induced Tsunamis

While not in the last 24 hours, a major scientific confirmation released on March 25 highlights a Greenland landslide that generated a 650-foot tsunami. Scientists confirmed the event caused a “seiche”—water sloshing side-to-side in a fjord—that generated seismic signals felt globally for nine consecutive days. For engineers, this underscores the importance of monitoring slope stability in glacial regions where melting ice no longer supports steep rock faces.

Survivor rescued after 3 days in Ethiopia’s Gamo zone landslide This video captures the miraculous rescue of a survivor after 72 hours, providing a visceral look at the mud depth and the extreme logistical challenges faced by search teams in the Gamo Zone.