Tragic Landslides in Kerala: Over 100 Dead, Climate Scientists Warn of Arabian Sea Warming

Heavy Rains Trigger Deadly Landslides in Wayanad

Recent heavy rainfall in Kerala’s Wayanad district has led to a series of devastating landslides, resulting in the deaths of at least 106 people. Additionally, 128 individuals have been injured, and many more are feared to be trapped under the debris. This tragic event has shocked the region, as the landslides have caused significant destruction to homes and infrastructure in the hilly terrain surrounding Meppadi.

Climate Change and Warming Arabian Sea: A Deadly Combination

The disaster has sparked urgent discussions among climate scientists about the warming of the Arabian Sea. S. Abhilash, the Director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), highlighted that the warming waters are creating deep cloud systems. These clouds lead to extremely heavy rainfall, as seen recently across Kerala. This phenomenon increases the risk of landslides, especially in areas like Wayanad, which have seen continuous rainfall and already saturated soil.

Recent Rainfall Patterns and Their Impacts

The states of Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Calicut, and Malappuram have been particularly affected by these weather patterns. According to Abhilash, an active monsoon offshore trough has been impacting the entire Konkan region for the past two weeks, leading to significant rainfall. This situation worsened on Monday with the formation of a deep mesoscale cloud system off the Arabian Sea coast, which triggered localized landslides in the affected districts.

A Comparison with Kerala’s 2019 Floods

Increased Landslide Risk in Kerala’s Western Ghats

As rainfall intensifies, so does the risk of landslides, particularly in the high to mid-land slopes of the Western Ghats in eastern Kerala. The continuous rainfall has already saturated the soil, making it more susceptible to landslides during the monsoon season. This situation poses a serious threat to the communities living in these vulnerable areas.

Immediate Weather Conditions and Rainfall Data

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported significant rainfall across various districts, including Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Malappuram, and Ernakulam. Rainfall measurements have ranged from 19 cm to 35 cm, further contributing to the challenges faced by the region.

Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action

The tragic events in Wayanad underscore the urgent need for greater awareness and action on climate change. The warming of the Arabian Sea and the associated atmospheric instability are clear indicators of how climate change can impact local weather patterns, leading to disasters such as these landslides. As the region mourns the loss of life and begins recovery efforts, there is a pressing need for comprehensive measures to mitigate the effects of such extreme weather events in the future.

PM Modi Announces Relief for Wayanad Landslide Victims, Cites Climate Change Concerns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently shared an update on X (formerly Twitter) in which he informed that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was spoken to regarding the unfortunate situation in Wayanad. The area has been badly hit by landslides, with over 100 dead. Climate scientists warned that these disasters occur because of warming up the Arabian Sea. PM Modi gave assurances to the head of state about complete support from his government during these relief efforts. He also declared assistance towards assisting families that had been affected financially. Each victim’s family will receive a payment of 200,000 rupees (approximately $2,388 or £1,857), as stated by him. Worse still, those who were injured during this landslide will get 50,000 rupees. This announcement is indicative of how serious the government is about doing everything possible to help people affected by this tragedy immediately. Climate scientists have increasingly expressed concern about the warming of the Arabian Sea which they believe has been causing more frequent and intense landslides such as this one. They point out that attention needs to be paid to climate change and its consequences since such occurrences could displace communities and destroy the environment. Thus, it stands that PM Modi’s declaration along with compensation are small steps taken towards addressing the plight of those who live there.