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Wayanad Landslide
Context
Kerala’s Wayanad district has recently experienced a catastrophic landslide and flood due to heavy rains.
Why is Kerala prone to disasters?
- Disaster-prone region: Kerala is prone to heavy rains and flooding, with an estimated 14.5 per cent of land area seen as vulnerable. Kerala has faced several severe floods and landslides in recent years, including the devastating 2018 floods.
- In 2011, the Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel (WGEEP), chaired by ecologist Madhav Gadgil, had classified most of the Idukki and Wayanad districts as category 1 under eco-sensitive zones, meaning they were highly vulnerable and forest land in these areas should not to be used for agriculture or non-forest activities. However, two years later, the Kasturirangan report had toned down the recommendations,
- About 8 per cent of the area in the Western Ghats in the southern state is labelled as a critical zone for mass movements, including debris flow, landslides, rock falls and slumps.
Why are such disasters increasing?
- Changing Rainfall Patterns: Kerala has witnessed increasingly intense and erratic rainfall patterns, exacerbated by climate change. Recent heavy rains in Wayanad, amounting to 30 cm in a short period, triggered landslides and floods.
- Climate Change: The changing climate has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, contributing to the instability of the region’s slopes.
- Forest Destruction: Extensive deforestation in the Western Ghats for urbanization and tourism has destabilized the soil. The clearing of forests for resorts and hotels has reduced the natural ability of the land to absorb rainfall.
- Urbanization: Rapid and unplanned development, including the construction of resorts on hillocks, has further aggravated the risk of landslides. The destruction of natural vegetation has made the land more susceptible to erosion and instability.
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