Yes, climate change significantly contributed to the devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, in July 2024. While the immediate trigger was an intense monsoon downpour, scientific studies have shown that human-induced climate change intensified this rainfall, making it approximately 10% heavier than it would have been otherwise.
The Wayanad disaster was a complex event influenced by multiple factors:
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Climate Change: Warmer temperatures have increased the atmosphere's moisture-holding capacity, leading to more intense rainfall events.
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Deforestation: Extensive loss of forest cover, primarily due to plantation expansion, has reduced the land's ability to absorb rainfall, increasing surface runoff and slope instability.
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Geological Factors: The region's steep terrain and seismic sensitivity make it inherently prone to landslides.
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Anthropogenic Activities: Unregulated construction, quarrying, and tourism have further compromised the land's stability.
A comprehensive analysis by the World Weather Attribution group concluded that the heavy rainfall leading to the Wayanad landslides was made more intense by human-caused climate change. The study highlighted that such extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent and severe in the future, underscoring the need for urgent climate action and disaster preparedness.
For an in-depth understanding, you can refer to the following resources:
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Carbon Brief: Climate change made monsoon downpour behind Kerala landslides 10% more intense
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Geospatial World: Case Study - Wayanad Journey through Climate Change and Disaster
These articles provide detailed analyses of the disaster, its causes, and the implications for future climate resilience in the region.
