0.2059
7667766266
x

Resilience Planning - Kerala Floods

iasparliament Logo
August 14, 2018

What is the issue?

  • Kerala is witnessing historic rainfalls in disastrous proportions, with South west monsoon.
  • The impact of the flood has highlighted the need for governments to strengthen resilience planning.

What is the catastrophic impact?

  • Monsoon rainfall on several districts of Kerala has come as a reminder of unpredictable natural disasters.
  • More than three dozen people have died.
  • An estimated Rs. 8,000 crore worth of economic assets had been lost.
  • The gates of reservoirs in the Idukki system, and several other dams have been opened. Click here to know more
  • This has inundated the habitations downstream.
  • About 60,000 people whose dwellings suffered damage were lodged in relief camps.
  • Landslips caused by incessant showers have caused damage to houses, roads and other structures.

What is the changing climate scenario?

  • Kerala’s unusually heavy monsoon this year is in contrast to the long-period trend of rainfall.
  • According to an analysis of data on the monsoon between 1954 and 2003, overall this part of the country had become drier in summer.
  • Nevertheless, there is an emerging frequency of destructive flash floods in rare events as this.
  • This trend is only expected to become stronger in the coming period.

How to deal with it?

  • With its efficient primary health care network, Kerala can take all measures to avoid epidemics.
  • However, the evolving climate pattern points to the need for governments to strengthen their resilience planning.
  • It should begin with a programme to relocate people away from hazard zones along the rivers.
  • But finding suitable land is a challenge in a populous, forested State as that of Kerala.

 

Source: The Hindu

Login or Register to Post Comments
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to review.

ARCHIVES

MONTH/YEARWISE ARCHIVES

sidetext
Free UPSC Interview Guidance Programme
sidetext