From 2019 floods to 2024 Wayanad landslides: Why are deadly disasters repeatedly hitting Kerala?

A devastating landslide in Wayanad district, Kerala, has claimed over 100 lives and left more than 100 people injured. With rescue operations still underway, the death toll is anticipated to rise as more bodies are recovered from the debris.

But what led to this catastrophic disaster in Kerala? According to climate experts, the landslide was triggered by exceptionally heavy rainfall, a direct result of warming in the Arabian Sea.

S. Abhilash, director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), shed light on the situation. He explained that the monsoon offshore trough has been impacting the Konkan region for the past two weeks, causing soil saturation in districts including Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Calicut, and Malappuram. According to experts, this saturation ultimately triggered the landslide.


The situation worsened on Monday when a deep mesoscale cloud system formed off the Arabian Sea coast, leading to severe rainfall in Wayanad, Calicut, Malappuram, and Kannur. Abhilash noted, "The clouds were very deep, similar to those seen during the 2019 Kerala floods."

The climate change

Moreover, scientists have observed a trend of very deep cloud systems developing over the southeast Arabian Sea, which sometimes intrude into the land, as seen in 2019.

The southeast Arabian Sea is becoming warmer, causing atmospheric instability above this region, including Kerala. With climate change, the rain-bearing belt with deep clouds is extending southward, which is the main reason behind such extremely heavy rainfall.

Kerala’s vulnerability to such disasters is evident from its recent history. The 2018 floods, the worst the state has seen in a century, caused 483 deaths and extensive damage. The tragedy continued in 2019 with a landslide in Puthumala, Wayanad, claiming 17 lives. In 2021, landslides and heavy rains resulted in 53 deaths, and in 2022, further landslides and floods caused 18 deaths and significant property damage. Between 2015 and 2022, Kerala recorded the highest number of landslides in India, underscoring the region's ongoing struggle with natural disasters.

Ongoing rescue efforts

The disaster has led to the relocation of 3,069 individuals to 45 relief camps in Wayanad. Five ministers have been assigned to oversee the relief and rescue efforts, ensuring that the affected residents receive essential support.

In response to the tragedy, the Kerala government has declared a two-day state mourning, with official observance on July 30 and 31. The National Flag will be flown at half-mast, and all public events and celebrations are cancelled during this period, as announced by chief secretary V Venu.

Rescue operations involve 300 personnel, including teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, and Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters. The efforts aim to evacuate those trapped and recover bodies from the debris. Kerala Chief Minister has assured that arrangements are in place for the best possible treatment for the injured.

Inputs from agencies