IMD Issues 'Orange' Alert for Heavy Rainfall in Wayanad Following Deadly Landslides

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an 'orange' alert for heavy rainfall in Kerala's Wayanad district, following deadly landslides that killed over 230 people. A 'red' alert was issued in Lakshadweep. Experts attribute the landslides to intense rainfall exacerbated by climate change and other environmental factors.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an 'orange' alert on Wednesday, forecasting heavy rainfall in Kerala's Wayanad district, which recently witnessed deadly landslides claiming over 230 lives. The weather department anticipates heavy rainfall ranging from 7 to 20 cm in various districts, including Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Wayanad in the coming days.

In Lakshadweep, a 'red' alert has been sounded, suggesting extremely heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm within 24 hours at isolated places. This development comes as a global scientific team confirmed the landslides in Wayanad were triggered by an intense burst of rainfall, made heavier by climate change.

The team of 24 researchers from India, Sweden, the US, and the UK revealed that over 140 mm of rainfall fell on highly saturated soil, causing catastrophic landslides. Additional research points to forest cover loss, mining, and extended monsoons as contributing factors. IMD Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that adequate warnings were issued ahead of the deadly rainfall, despite claims to the contrary by the Kerala government.

(With inputs from agencies.)