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:
- 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
- World Weather Attribution: Landslide-triggering rainfall made more intense by human-induced climate change
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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.
made monsoon downpour behind Kerala landslides 10% more intense
Update
Thiruvananthapuram: A proposal has been made to declare the landslide-hit areas of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad as a Geo-Heritage Conservation Site, recognizing it as one of the most devastating landslides in India. The initiative aims to preserve the region as a disaster memorial, while promoting scientific research, education, and eco-tourism.
The study detailing this proposal was published in the August edition of the peer-reviewed journal “Geoheritage” by Springer Science and Business Media.
On July 30, 2024, a massive landslide struck Chooralmala and Mundakkai, claiming over 400 lives and leaving many injured or missing. The tragedy stands as one of the worst natural disasters in Kerala’s history.
Authorities believe that preserving the site will help future generations understand the environmental and geological factors behind such calamities and promote awareness about disaster management and ecological balance.