BTN News: Severe weather in southern India has shown its dangerous side again. Heavy rains caused several deadly landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district. These landslides have taken at least 93 lives. Small villages were hit hard, and many homes were destroyed. Important structures like bridges were also wiped out. Rescue teams are working hard, but it is tough because roads are cut off and the ground is unstable.
The landslides happened because of the continuous heavy rains. The workers in state-run tea plantations were the main victims. More than 100 people are hurt and getting medical help. Over 3,000 people had to move to relief camps. Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, is leading the rescue efforts. However, there is still no clear number of how many people are missing or trapped under the debris.
Television images show the tough work of the rescuers. They are moving through thick mud and fallen trees to find survivors. Some vehicles were seen floating in swollen rivers, showing how strong the floods are. Helicopters have been sent to help with rescue missions. The Indian Army is also building a temporary bridge to replace one that was destroyed.
Health Minister Veena George said they are doing everything they can to save people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his sorrow on social media. He said he is sad about the landslides in Wayanad. He announced financial help for the families of the victims, showing the federal government’s support during this hard time.
Kerala often gets heavy monsoon rains, which have caused similar disasters in the past. The Indian Meteorological Department has put the region on high alert. More rains are expected, making the situation worse. In 2018, Kerala faced one of its worst floods, with nearly 500 deaths. This shows how vulnerable the state is to such natural disasters.
Recently, northern and central Kerala have been hit hard by rain. Wayanad got up to 28 centimeters (11 inches) of rain in just 24 hours. Such heavy rain in a short time is becoming more common. This change is likely due to climate change. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist, says that both climate change and human activities like construction in risky areas make these disasters more frequent and severe.
In 2013, a government committee suggested that 37% of the Western Ghats should be an eco-sensitive zone. This would mean strict rules on construction to reduce disaster risks. But these suggestions have not been fully applied because of opposition from state governments and local people.
India’s monsoon season lasts from June to September. It is important for farming, but it often causes big floods. As climate change keeps changing weather patterns, the need for sustainable development and disaster readiness in places like Kerala becomes more urgent. Scientists and leaders must address these challenges to protect lives and livelihoods from the growing threats of natural disasters.
