The coastal state of Kerala is reeling under floods that have left as many as 24 people dead. Heavy rains due to the formation of a low-pressure area in the Arabian Sea have resulted in landslides and the destruction is worst in the southern parts of the state. At least 14 deaths have been reported from the Kottayam district and 11 from Idukki so far.

As per the weather warning, heavy rains are predicted in the state till today evening and will subside thereafter. 

Rescue operations are being carried out with the help of armed forces and disaster relief led by the Kerala government is underway. The Indian Air Force tweeted a photo of the helicopters being used for flood relief efforts in Kerala. 

While the rainfall situation has partially subsided in Central Kerala however the threat of landslides and severe waterlogging across multiple districts still persists. 

Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took to Facebook, from his official page, to list an array of relief and rescue operations being taken by the government agencies, central and state alike, to aid people during these trying times. He also urged people to take necessary precautions, not panic, follow the instructions of authorities, and avoid unnecessary trips.

“The weatherman has warned about strong wind and lightning till today evening. Currently, the depression, formed in the Arabian sea, has weakened. However, there are chances that it will rain till evening. Yellow Alert has been issued by the IMD for the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode,” Vijayan said in a Facebook post. 

The chief minister also stated that 105 relief camps have been set up across Kerala and more will be set up if required. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the on ground situation with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and said that authorities were working to help the injured. Modi tweeted, “Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @vijayanpinarayi and discussed the situation in the wake of heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. Authorities are working on the ground to assist the injured and affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.”

Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @vijayanpinarayi and discussed the situation in the wake of heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. Authorities are working on the ground to assist the injured and affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 17, 2021

Latest reports mention that heavy rainfall continues in parts of Kerala which caused landslides, damage, and destruction in several districts including Kottayam, Kokkayar, and Idukki. 

The maximum damage due to rainfall was reported from the areas of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki districts whereas Peerumedu in Idukki received record rainfall of 270 mm within 24 hours. As per news reports, the water level of the Muvattupuzha river in Ernakulam district was reported to be rising above normal. 

IMD warning: Was it enough?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its press release issued four days back on October 14 had forecasted “low-pressure area towards Kerala coast during the next 48 hours.” It had predicted widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall over Kerala, Coastal and South Interior Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu during October 14-16, and a decrease in distribution and intensity thereafter. 

Heavy rainfall, squally weather, with a wind speed of 40-50 kmph was predicted over the Kerala-Karnataka coast. The met department had also issued warnings for fishers to not venture into the sea during the above-mentioned dates. 

Kerala battered again and again

This is not the first time that heavy rainfall has caused floods and landslides in the state. Back in 2018, the state witnessed a similar calamity which rendered 400 people dead and displaced more than one million and was one of the worst floodings Kerala had witnessed in a century. While Kerala was still recovering from the 2018 disaster, it was hit by floods yet again in 2019. 

Mahesh Palawat, the Vice President of Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, told Gaon Connection that the changing monsoon pattern due to climate change has led to a rise in these kinds of extreme weather changes. 

Explaining the reasons behind the heavy floods which Kerala has been witnessing since the last few years, Palawat said, “Encroachment of water bodies has restricted the natural flow of water. In addition to this, unplanned development on hills and deforestation has made hills fragile which has led to heavy rainfall, incidents of mudslides, floods and landslides.”

Claiming that whatever the damage has been done can’t be undone, he stated that for future purposes, the government should implement steps to ensure that there is no encroachment of water bodies and no unplanned development over hilly areas. He also emphasized on strict implementation of scientifically approved construction so that the ecosystem is not disturbed. 

Former Minister of Rural Development of India and current Rajya Sabha Member, Jairam Ramesh also raised concerns about the flood recurrences in Kerala and highlighted the importance of implementing Madhav Gadgil report. 

Ramesh tweeted, “Whenever there is a natural disaster in Kerala, the Madhav Gadgil’s the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report of 2011 is recalled. A decade later it remains unimplemented—despite devastating floods in 2018 and 2020.”

Whenever there is a natural disaster in Kerala, the Madhav Gadgil's Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report of 2011 is recalled. A decade later it remains unimplemented—despite devastating floods in 2018 and 2020.

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 17, 2021

The Gadgil Commission was formerly known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report (WGEEP) and was set up by the Government of India in 2011. It recommended 64 percent of the Western Ghats area be declared as an ecologically sensitive area and restricted all developmental activities in that area. 

With inputs from Sarah Khan in Delhi.