It is not part of the human condition to be buried under a landslide triggered by an earthquake. But the disaster follows because of human action and inaction. These activities in a high-risk environment almost certainly contributed to the instability of the steep slope. A group of Las Colinas residents and environmental groups was in court only last year to stop development on that slope and the ridge above. The judge ruled against them.
Experts agree that steep slopes made of volcanic soil are unstable.
Geologists know this. Planners know this. The earthquake didn't kill, but the buildings did. The buildings go up rapidly with little planning and inspection in a boom economy like Gujarat's. A study commissioned by the Indian government warned in 1998 about the lack of compliance with building codes throughout India, but especially in the zones, such as Gujarat, where seismic risk is high.