Unnatural disaster

• Climate change is driving unprecedented weather patterns, leading to natural disasters that can overwhelm local responders.
• Kerala, particularly, has been experiencing heavy rains during the southwest monsoon, making landslides a regular occurrence.

Key Points:

• Tourism and Infrastructure Development: Kerala is a popular tourist destination, which has driven infrastructure development to maximize revenue.
  • The Chaliyar River originates from an altitude of about 2 kilometers and rapidly flows down towards Vellarmala, carrying fast-moving water and a higher volume of sediment downstream.
• Impact of Heavy Rains: This year, the heavy rains increased the river’s volume and force, leading to the collection of debris that was then deposited in villages located on less steep terrain.
  • The situation is worsened by the fact that heavy rains in 2020 had already stripped upstream areas of plant cover, making the rocks and humus more susceptible to displacement.

Geographical Challenges:

• Landslide-Prone Areas: The regions of Idukki, Kottayam, Malappuram, and Wayanad have been known for their vulnerability to landslides for years and are prominently featured on landslide risk maps.
  • The recurring landslides are a result of both climate change and a lack of preparedness from the State, which has repeatedly been caught off-guard.
• Lack of Preparedness: A significant issue is the lack of advance warning and emergency preparedness.
  • Landslides are more common in ecologically fragile areas, and the monsoons have been producing short bursts of intense rain, making some soil types easier to dislodge. Additionally, quarrying, linear infrastructure development, construction activities, and monocropping have weakened the ecosystems’ resilience to changing natural conditions.
• Need for Conservation: To address these issues, land use patterns must remain unchanged, and the State should focus on restoring denuded flora and rehabilitating affected communities to provide them with alternative livelihoods.
• The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel recommended that Kerala avoid engineering projects in ecologically sensitive areas, form expert committees to assess the feasibility of other projects, and ensure that these committees are well-equipped and empowered.
• Balancing Development and Environment: The panel’s recommendations aimed to mitigate the effects of unpredictable weather while supporting economic growth.
• However, Kerala is approaching a point where it can no longer balance development needs with environmental concerns, risking further environmental degradation.