• UGI USER
  • Aug 01, 2024
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IMPACT OF LANDSLIDES IN KERALA

Why in the news?

  • Wayanad district experienced deadly landslides on July 30, killing 200 people and destroying villages.
  • Heavy rains increased river volume, causing sediment to sweep into less steep lands.
  • The Chaliyar river’s increased force after heavy rains in 2020 worsened the situation.
source:thehindu

Contributing Factors:

  • Landslides are common in Kerala’s fragile ecological zones (Idukki, Kottayam, Malappuram, Wayanad).
  • Climate change and inadequate preparedness are major contributors.
  • Intense rainfall, soil erosion, and ecosystem degradation exacerbate landslide risks.
What are Landslides?

  • Definition: Landslides are the downward movement of rock, debris, or soil on a slope, driven by gravity.

Causes:

  • Natural: Heavy rainfall, earthquakes, snowmelt, and flooding.
  • Anthropogenic: Excavation, deforestation, infrastructure, and overgrazing.
  • Context: In India, rainfall-induced landslides are prevalent.

About Wayanad district:

  • Location: North-east Kerala, with headquarters in Kalpetta.
  • Formation: Established on November 1, 1980, as Kerala’s 12th district.
  • Taluks: Includes Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery, and Vythiri.