Kerala Floods

Source- This post on the Kerala Floods has been created based on the article “Kerala landslide: a look at the extreme weather events in India recently” published in “Indian Express” on 31 July 2024.

Recently, multiple landslides occurred in Wayanad district, Kerala.

Causes and Contributing Factors of landslide

i) Heavy Rainfall: Wayanad received over 140 mm of rain in 24 hours, significantly exceeding normal levels. Some areas recorded more than 300 mm of rainfall.

ii) Fragile Ecology: The region’s hilly terrain with sharp slopes is highly susceptible to landslides, especially during heavy rains.

iii) Soil and Rock Interaction: The local geology features a layer of soil over hard rocks. Heavy rain saturates the soil, weakening its bond with the rocks and triggering landslides.

Predictive Measures and Mitigation

i) Forecasting and Prediction: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted the possibility of landslides due to expected heavy rains.

ii) Mitigation Strategies: Experts call for developing detailed susceptibility and route maps to better predict and manage landslide risks. Current susceptibility maps exist, but more precise route maps are needed to identify safe areas.

Future Recommendations

i) Implementing stricter regulations on land use in vulnerable areas.

ii) Establishing more effective systems for monitoring rainfall and soil saturation to predict and prevent landslides.

iii) Increasing public awareness about landslide risks and emergency preparedness.

UPSC Syllabus: Disaster management