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Kerala urgently needs to Identify Risk Zones
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Context
On July 30, 2023, the villages of Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad district faced devastating landslides, resulting in 231 deaths and 41 people missing. This tragedy has underscored the urgent need to reassess disaster management strategies in Kerala, a state previously considered relatively safe from such calamities.
Increasing Disaster Vulnerability
- Geographic Challenges: Kerala’s unique geography, bordered by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, has led to an increase in disaster occurrences, including floods and landslides. The region's population density is significantly above the all-India average, contributing to heightened vulnerability.
- Historical Context: The last few decades have seen a rise in the frequency and intensity of disasters in Kerala, such as the 2018 floods described by the World Meteorological Organization as the "floods of the century." Coastal erosion and regular flooding in low-lying areas demonstrate that the state's past safety from disasters is diminishing.
- Need for Scientific Assessment: Wayanad, characterized by its ravines and gorges, requires a comprehensive landslide inventory map that considers geological and hydrological factors. Current assessments focus too narrowly on slope and rainfall, neglecting a broader understanding of the region's geological dynamics.
Shifting Disaster Management Paradigms
- Proactive Strategies: A shift from reactive disaster management to a more proactive and comprehensive approach is essential. This involves addressing preparedness, risk reduction, and recovery, aligned with global frameworks like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
- Community Engagement: Community participation is crucial in creating disaster risk maps. Utilizing Kerala’s experience with the People’s Plan Campaign can empower local communities to engage in identifying and mitigating disaster risks.
- Integrated Disaster Risk Management: A quadruple helix model involving communities, academia, government, and industry can enhance disaster management. This integrated approach fosters communication and collaboration, ensuring that local development incorporates disaster risk considerations.
Practice Question
Q. Discuss the impact of climate change on disaster management in Kerala, specifically focusing on the recent landslides in Wayanad. What measures can be taken to improve community engagement in disaster risk reduction?
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