29/08/2018
In late July 2018, severe flooding affected Kerala state in India due to unusually high rainfall during the monsoon season. Kerala's worst floods in nearly a century,[2] over 350 people died within a fortnight, while at least 82,400 [3] people were rescued, mainly from [4]Chengannur, Pandanad, Aranmula, Aluva, Chalakkudi, Kuttanad, Pandalam and with all 14 districts of the state placed on high alert.[5][6]
2018 Kerala floods
IN-KL.svg
Date
July 2018 – ongoing
Location
Kerala, India
Cause
Low pressure
Heavy rain
Large discharge from dams
Landslides
Deaths
350+
Property damage
₹19,500 crore (US$3 billion)
A flooded home in Kerala, India
Flood conditions in Kerala, India
Thirty-five out of the forty-two dams within the state were opened for the first time in history and all five overflow gates of the Idukki Dam were opened at the same time after a gap of 26 years.[7] Heavy rains in Wayanad and Idukki have caused severe landslides and have left the hilly districts isolated.[8]
Causes
Kerala received heavy monsoon rainfall on the mid evening of August 8 resulting in dams filling to capacity; in the first 24 hours of rainfall the state received 310 mm (12 in) of rain.[9] Almost all dams have been opened since the water level has risen close to overflow level due to heavy rainfall, flooding local low-lying areas.[10] For the first time in the state's history, 35 of its 42 dams have been opened.[11]
Most of the regions affected by this monsoon were classified as ecologically-sensitive zones (ESZs) by the the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, the Gadgil Committee. Most of the recommendations and directions by the commitee was either neglected or rejected. Chairman of the committee Madhav Gadgil accused the state government and its irresponsible environmental policy for the recent landslides and floods. He called it a "man-made calamity".[12] [13] [14]
Impact
Aerial view of the flood
Red alert issued by India Meteorological Department (earlier in August)
A state official told AFP that 370 people have died, while the The Economic Times in India has reported that 33,000 people have been rescued.[5][15][16] The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has placed the state in a red alert as a result of the intense flooding.[17] A number of water treatment plants were forced to cease pumping water, resulting in poor access to clean water, especially in northern districts of the region.[18] Over 4,000 relief camps have been opened at various locations to accommodate the flood victims. It is estimated that 1,028,073 people have found shelter in such camps.[19][20] The flooding has affected hundreds of villages, destroyed an estimated 10,000 km (6,200 mi) of roads and thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed.[17]
Industry
On August 15, Cochin International Airport, India's fourth busiest in terms of international traffic, and the busiest in the state suspended all operations until 26 August, following runway flooding.[5] Many schools throughout the state have been closed, and tourists have been dissuaded or banned from some districts due to safety concerns.[15] The Kochi Metro closed briefly on August 16, and has since begun offering free service to aid those affected by the flooding.[11] Due to heavy rain and rising water levels the southern railway has suspended train services on Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam-Ernakulam and Ernakulam-Shoranur-Palakkad sections.[21]
Over 80% of the state has been cut off from power supply.[22]An orange weather alert has been issued in 11 of the 14 districts of the state.
Please pray for Kerala.
