Wayanad Landslides: A Recipe of Climate Change, Deforestation, and Ignored Warnings

A series of landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, triggered by heavy rain, have resulted in numerous casualties. Studies highlight the roles of climate change, deforestation, and unimplemented environmental recommendations as key factors exacerbating the disaster. The Western Ghats' dense population and the rapid loss of forest cover have heightened the area's vulnerability to such events.

Kerala's Wayanad district experienced catastrophic landslides early on Tuesday following extremely heavy rainfall, resulting in at least 123 deaths and 128 injuries. Many are believed to be trapped under the debris.

According to the landslide atlas by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre, 10 out of the 30 most landslide-prone districts in India are in Kerala, with Wayanad ranked 13th. The vulnerability is exacerbated by high population density and deforestation.

Climate change and loss of forest cover are major factors, as highlighted by various studies. Recommendations by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel to declare the region an ecologically sensitive area have remained unimplemented for over a decade due to resistance from various stakeholders.