How can Kerala forestall disasters just like the Wayanad landslide? 

Kerala’s Wayanad was hit with a landslide on Tuesday, killing near 170 individuals. This isn’t the state’s first time going through a disaster associated to monsoons. On thispodcast, Anjana PV talks to Vinson Kurian, Marketing consultant,businessline, in regards to the recurring problems with landslides and excessive climate occasions in Kerala.  

The podcast highlights the frequency and severity of those pure disasters, attributing them largely to the monsoon season. Kurian explains that whereas the north of Kerala is severely affected, the risk extends to different districts resembling Idukki, that are a part of the Western Ghats and thus susceptible to landslides and flooding attributable to heavy rainfall.  

He discusses the vital position of the monsoon, noting that July and August are the wettest months, typically resulting in excessive rainfall occasions. These occasions trigger the hillsides to change into unstable, leading to landslides. Kurian recounts important previous incidents, such because the 2018 landslide in Wayanad that killed 9 individuals and destroyed 15 homes, and the 2019 occasion in Puthumala, which resulted in 17 deaths and important destruction. 

Kurian explains that each the state and central governments are chargeable for insufficient preparation and response. He factors out that the Kerala Authorities has not declared ecologically delicate areas as required, permitting building and improvement in weak areas. Regardless of repeated warnings, the state authorities has not taken adequate proactive measures, resulting in a cycle of unpreparedness and reactive responses.

He additionally addresses the central authorities’s position, noting that whereas funds are allotted for catastrophe administration, they’re inadequate and sometimes underutilised by the state authorities. As an illustration, in 2021, out of the 59 crores allotted, solely 40 crores have been used. Kurian emphasises the necessity for higher fund utilisation and extra complete preparedness measures, together with growing the variety of rain gauges and enhancing flood administration methods. 

The podcast stresses on the significance of the Kerala Authorities setting its home so as earlier than searching for help from the Central Authorities. He suggests halting unlawful building and quarrying actions in floodplains and weak areas, as these improve the impression of pure disasters. He additionally highlights the necessity for proactive measures somewhat than reactive responses, guaranteeing the state is best ready for future monsoon seasons. 

Hear in to the podcast to know extra.