Shimla, Dec 6 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh has as many as 21 landslide-prone sites, most of them located along national highways, and every year the state sees one or two major landslides.

This came to light in a report prepared by the state and discussed at a meeting presided over by Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Nanda here on Thursday.

The meeting was held for the creation of a core group on landslide risk mitigation.

A government spokesperson told IANS that a detailed project report in this regard would be sent to the National Disaster Management Authority.

Nanda said landslide was the most common hazard in the state and almost every year the state was affected by one or more major landslides, causing loss of life and damage to pubic and private property.

She said like earthquakes and floods, the risks of landslides could be mitigated through a combination of structural and non-structural measures.

Nanda said the National Disaster Management Authority had sought the detailed project report for landslide mitigation. A total of 21 vulnerable sites of landslides have been identified.

Nanda said the State Disaster Management Authority was planning to take up landslide mitigation at a large scale for reducing the vulnerability and risk associated with landslide hazards.

The hills of Himachal Pradesh, especially in Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Una districts, are prone to natural disasters like flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides.