In the lush green landscape of Kerala the serenity of the backwaters and rolling hills belied a looming danger. The year 2019 brought torrential rains overwhelming rivers and sending torrents through villages. Homes were submerged and lives were upended.
Fast forward to 2024 and the scene was eerily similar but this time the landslides in Wayanad carved a new scar across the land. The once vibrant hills had turned treacherous, swallowing entire roads and displacing countless people.
Kerala’s beauty, though breathtaking was part of its vulnerability. The combination of intense monsoons, deforestation and inadequate urban planning had left the state exposed. Climate change had intensified the rains, while poorly managed reservoirs added to the risk. The land stripped of its natural defenses struggled to cope with the overwhelming forces of nature.
As the state rebuilt and recovered it faced a pressing question: How could it adapt to these recurring disasters? The answer lay in a mix of sustainable development, reforestation and better disaster management. Kerala’s path to resilience was not just about weathering storms but also about planning for a safer future.
Natural Factors:
- Monsoon Rains: Kerala receives intense and prolonged rainfall during the monsoon season which can lead to flash floods and riverine flooding. Climate change has increased the frequency and severity of these rain events.
- Topography: The Western Ghats' steep slopes and loose soils make the region particularly prone to landslides. The state's low-lying coastal areas are vulnerable to flooding.
- Hydrological Features: Numerous rivers and backwaters can overflow during heavy rains especially when drainage systems are inadequate or poorly maintained.
- Climate Change: Global climate change has led to more erratic and intense weather patterns. Increased frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events are direct consequences exacerbating the risk of floods and landslides in Kerala.
Human-Induced Factors :
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Deforestation: Extensive deforestation for agriculture, urban development and other activities reduces the natural absorption capacity of the land. This increases surface runoff and makes the region more susceptible to flooding and landslides.
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Urbanization and Poor Planning: Rapid and often unplanned urbanization in Kerala has led to construction in flood-prone areas and ecologically sensitive zones. Inadequate drainage systems and infrastructure that cannot handle heavy rainfall worsen the impact of these natural disasters.
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Encroachment on Natural Waterways: Encroachment on rivers, lakes and wetlands for development projects disrupts natural water flow, leading to increased flooding during heavy rains.
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Agricultural Practices: Shifts in agricultural practices, such as the conversion of paddy fields into other forms of land use reduce the landscape's ability to manage heavy rainfall.
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