A senior climate scientist has attributed the recent devastating landslides in Kerala to a combination of factors, including climate change and the warming of the Arabian Sea.
The scientist, S Abhilash, explains that the warming sea leads to the formation of deep cloud systems, resulting in extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala over a short period. This intense precipitation saturates the soil, making it susceptible to landslides, particularly in hilly areas like Wayanad.
Abhilash highlights that these deep cloud systems, similar to those experienced during the 2019 Kerala floods, have become more common in the region due to climate change. He cites research indicating a southward shift of the rain-bearing belt with deep clouds, previously concentrated in the northern Konkan region.
The scientist also points to studies showing an increase in convective rainfall along India’s west coast, which increases the risk of landslides in the Western Ghats.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirms the heavy rainfall, reporting that several weather stations across Kerala recorded rainfall exceeding 19 cm and reaching up to 35 cm in a 24-hour period. The IMD forecasts that heavy rainfall will continue in some parts of Kerala for the next two days.
