March 20, 2026

Mar 20, 2026 | Daily Landslide Blog

Daily Landslide Observatory Report: March 20, 2026

1. Canada: Atmospheric River Triggers Mudslides and Power Outages in British Columbia

A series of atmospheric rivers has battered the Pacific Northwest, with the heaviest impact recorded on B.C.’s South Coast between March 19 and 20.

  • The Event: A significant mudslide struck the 1900-block of Pipeline Road in Coquitlam early on Thursday, March 19. The slide knocked out power to approximately 5,000 customers and affected several residential and industrial properties.
  • Trigger: Intense, prolonged rainfall combined with rising temperatures causing snowmelt.
  • Risk Reduction: Authorities issued immediate evacuation orders for sections of the remote coastal community of Ocean Falls and Martin Valley. Avalanche Canada has also warned of high risks in the backcountry due to unstable snowpacks and extreme winds.
  • More Info: CBC News Report | BC Gov News Advisory

 

2. Spain: Storm Therese Activates Landslide Emergency Plans in Canary Islands

Storm Therese began affecting the Canary Islands on March 19, generating severe weather conditions that are forecast to persist through March 22.

  • The Threat: The Tenerife Island Council has activated its Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) in anticipation of intense rainfall, wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h, and waves over 5 meters.
  • Risk Management: Authorities have closed all forest tracks, recreational areas, and hiking paths specifically to reduce landslide risk. The TF-445 road leading to Punta de Teno has been shut down due to the high risk of falling debris and coastal surges.
  • Engineering Note: The expected rainfall is predicted to produce rapid runoff in steep volcanic terrain, significantly increasing the likelihood of debris flows in ravines.
  • More Info: The Watchers Technical Update

 

3. India: Fatal Landslide in Jammu & Kashmir Forces Massive Evacuations

Severe weather and geohazard activity have intensified in northern India as of March 19–20, following a major landslide event in the Kishtwar district.

  • The Impact: A landslide in Kishtwar on March 15 resulted in two fatalities. The event was part of a broader severe weather system that has brought heavy snowfall and destabilized slopes across the state.
  • Evacuation: Emergency services successfully evacuated 238 residents from the Sinthan Top area, where they were stranded by a combination of landslide debris and deep snow.
  • Current Risk: Light to moderate precipitation is forecast for the region through March 20, keeping the threat of secondary slope failures at a critical level for mountainous transit corridors.
  • More Info: GDACS Global Alert

 

Technical Spotlight: Urban Vulnerability in Brazil

A newly finalized study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) regarding the late-February landslides in Juiz de Fora highlights that while climate change increases rainfall intensity by ~7%, the primary driver of fatalities was unplanned urban growth. In Juiz de Fora, roughly 130,000 people live in zones previously identified as high-risk, emphasizing that LRR must prioritize land-use reform alongside early warning systems.