Landslides in Kerala are turning increasingly common, especially in the monsoon season

Wayanad, a picturesque district in the Western Ghats, is renowned for its spice plantations, wildlife sanctuaries, and breathtaking landscapes. However, the same hilly terrain and dense forests that contribute to its beauty also make it highly susceptible to landslides during the monsoon season. Heavy rains often lead to soil erosion and landslides, particularly in areas like Meppadi, Vythiri, and their surrounding regions.

In the early hours of July 30, tragedy struck Kerala’s Wayanad district. Massive landslides, triggered by relentless monsoon rains, buried large areas under debris, killing around 70 people and leaving many more injured. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue and more people are reported missing.
Picturesque hamlets like Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha, known for their natural beauty, now lie in ruins, cut off from the rest of the district. Vehicles have been washed away by floodwaters, getting stuck in tree trunks or submerged in many places. Huge boulders have rolled down the hills, obstructing rescue efforts. Despite the heavy rains, rescue workers continue to shift the injured and deceased into ambulances.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority quickly mobilised National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to the affected areas. The Indian Army and two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17 and an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), were also deployed for rescue operations.

Meanwhile, experts attribute these landslides to heavy rainfall, geologically weak soil, deforestation, and careless construction practices.

Understanding landslides

A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), landslides are a type of “mass wasting,” which includes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the influence of gravity. Common types of landslides include debris flows (mudflows or mudslides) and rock falls.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) explains landslides using an illustration, highlighting that they can be triggered by geological, morphological, and human factors. Geological factors refer to the characteristics of the earth or rock, while morphological factors pertain to the structure of the land, such as slopes losing vegetation. Human activities like deforestation, construction, and agriculture can increase the risk of landslides by destabilising slopes.

Why more landslides during monsoon?

One primary reason for the increase in landslides during the monsoon is concentrated rainfall due to climate change. Heavy rains, combined with unplanned structural interventions in fragile landscapes, often lead to landslides. Deforestation for infrastructure projects weakens the soil, making it more vulnerable to waterlogging and subsequent landslides.

Kerala has witnessed a rise in deadly landslides during the monsoon. An IIT Delhi study noted that heavy rain destroys steep slopes with loose soil, causing landslides. The state recorded the highest number of major landslides in India in recent years. Of the 3,782 landslides between 2015 and 2022 so far, 2,239 alone were reported in Kerala, sources suggest.

Moving forward

As Kerala deals with the aftermath of this disaster, it has become crucial to address the underlying causes of landslides and implement measures to mitigate their impact. Sustainable development, reforestation, and careful planning of infrastructure projects can help reduce the risk of such tragedies in the future.

In conclusion, while Wayanad's natural beauty is enhanced by the monsoon, the increased rainfall also brings potential hazards. The recent landslides serve as a tragic reminder of the delicate balance between nature's splendour and its inherent dangers.