Kerala CM Links Wayanad Landslide Disaster to Climate Change

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlights climate change as the root cause of the Wayanad landslide disaster, stressing the need to address its impact on agriculture. Studies indicate severe future risks of heavier rainfall and landslides. Proper mitigation measures, including early warning systems and reforestation, are crucial.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday attributed the root cause of the Wayanad landslide disaster to climate change. Speaking at the Farmers' Day celebrations, Vijayan emphasized, "The agricultural sector is one of the most directly impacted by this phenomenon. Our primary focus should be on discussing the impact of climate change on agriculture and the measures needed to overcome these challenges."

Experts estimate that climate change could decrease rain-dependent rice yields in India by 20% by 2050 and by 47% by 2080. Similarly, wheat yields could fall by 19.3% by 2050 and by 40% by 2080. "These are serious concerns that require immediate and sustained attention," Vijayan noted.

The landslides that claimed hundreds of lives in Wayanad were triggered by a burst of rainfall, found to be 10% heavier due to human-caused climate change, according to a study by World Weather Attribution (WWA). The early morning rainfall on July 30 was classified as a "once in a-50-year event," highlighting the urgent need for rigorous landslide risk assessments and improved early warning systems in northern Kerala.

The study indicates a potential 10% increase in rainfall intensity under a future warming scenario where global temperatures rise by two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Heavier one-day rainfall events could become more common, exacerbating the risk of deadly landslides until fossil fuels are replaced by renewable energy sources.

To protect northern Kerala from future disasters, the study suggests minimizing deforestation and quarrying while improving early warning and evacuation systems. The research also points to a 62% decrease in forest cover in Wayanad from 1950 to 2018, heightening the area's vulnerability to landslides during intense rainfall.

(With inputs from agencies.)