FLOODS IN KERALA,
INDIA

SEVERE FLOODS IN KERALA

Kerala is experiencing the most severe floods in almost a century. Continual rainfall during the monsoon season – since May 2018 - and particularly torrential rains since the first week of August have led to accumulation of rain water in several dams in the region. Records from the India Meteorological Department show a 255 percent excess rainfall between 9 th to 15 th August 2018. On 10th August, the gates of 35 of 39 dams in the state had to be opened to drain the excess water in those, thereby stalling the potentially massive damage through dam-break. Release of the dam water alongside already accumulated water all around, aggravated the situation and submerged the river basin areas and houses in those. The continuous rain also loosened the mountain soil which triggered several landslides in many rural and sloping areas. Large scale deforestation, illegal stone quarries, unauthorised constructions on river beds added to the vulnerabilities. The combination of high-intensity rainfall within a short period, poor / compromised drainage capacity of the river basins and reservoir regulation have led to the current crisis. Many houses were destroyed, many lives lost, even agricultural lands were severely damaged due to the landslides. Roads to most areas have been cut off and communication has taken a hit due to this. Thousands of people are stranded at roof tops and high lands, waiting to be rescued. Thousands of relief camps have been set up across the state to house the displaced and rescued population.