Climate Change’s Role in Intensifying Rainfall
The WWA examine reveals that human-induced local weather change contributed to a ten% enhance within the depth of the rainfall that triggered the landslides. The researchers warn that as world temperatures proceed to rise, Kerala might face much more intense one-day rainfall occasions. If the worldwide temperature rises by 2°C above pre-industrial ranges, the examine predicts a further 4% enhance in rainfall depth, additional elevating the chance of landslides within the area.
Environmental Factors Contributing to Landslide Susceptibility
The examine additionally factors to environmental degradation as a key think about Wayanad’s elevated vulnerability to landslides. Quarrying for constructing supplies and a big discount in forest cowl—62% between 1950 and 2018—have weakened the area’s slopes, making them extra liable to collapse underneath heavy rainfall. The mixture of local weather change and these environmental points has created an ideal storm for such disasters.
Recommendations for Preventive Measures
In gentle of those findings, the WWA emphasizes the pressing want for preventive measures to mitigate the impression of local weather change on Wayanad and comparable areas. The examine suggests reinforcing weak slopes, implementing landslide early warning methods, and developing retaining buildings to guard communities in danger. Additionally, the researchers name for extra stringent assessments of landslide dangers, stricter controls on hillside building, and efforts to scale back deforestation and quarrying actions to forestall future disasters.
The WWA’s findings spotlight the rising dangers posed by local weather change and environmental degradation. The tragic occasions in Wayanad function a important reminder of the pressing want for complete measures to guard weak areas from the rising menace of utmost climate occasions.
