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Heavy rains trigger deadly landslides in Kerala, India
Landslides from torrential rains in Kerala's Wayanad district killed 93 people, leaving many others trapped and in need of rescue.
In short:
- Heavy rains caused multiple landslides in Kerala, killing 93 and trapping many more.
- Rescuers struggle with blocked roads and unstable terrain as they work to save those buried under debris.
- More than 3,000 people have been moved to relief camps, and more rain is expected.
Key quote:
“Monsoon patterns are increasingly erratic and the quantum of rainfall that we receive in a short spell of time has increased. As a result, we see frequent instances of landslides and floods along the Western Ghats.”
— Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Why this matters:
Increased rainfall intensity over short periods overwhelms the natural drainage systems, causing rivers to swell rapidly and resulting in severe flooding. These floods can lead to loss of agricultural land, contamination of water sources and destruction of infrastructure, disrupting the lives of thousands. The Western Ghats are crucial for their role in regulating the climate and hydrology of peninsular India, and these environmental changes are a stark reminder of the broader impacts of climate change.
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