Triggered by heavy rainfall, the landslide started at an altitude of 1,550 metres. The images depict a devastating scene where the debris flow has expanded the river’s course, leading to substantial damage to houses and infrastructure along the banks.While environmentalists have raised concerns over deforestation and other human activities contributing to the calamity, geologists argue that the root cause remains natural even as human activities aggravate landslide conditions and increase casualties. Settlements in landslide-prone areas amplify the impact, geologists pointed out.Sajinkumar K S, an expert on landslides and an assistant professor with the department of geology, University of Kerala, attributes landslides to natural factors. “Most landslides occur in forested areas with minimal human interference and are triggered by heavy, continuous rain,” Sajinkumar explained, based on extensive research across various regions in the country.“The impact of human activities aggravates the situation, but if anthropogenic factors alone were the cause, we would see landslides occurring every season,” he said. Nonetheless, the role of human activities in increasing the death toll is clear, highlighting the need for effective mitigation plans. Despite having identified landslide-prone areas years ago, the state lacks a “run-out map” which would help anticipate the path of landslides.A senior climate scientist has linked the warming of the Arabian Sea to the formation of deep cloud systems, leading to heavy rainfall and increased landslides in Kerala. S Abhilash of Cochin University highlighted that districts like Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Calicut, and Malappuram have faced intense rainfall due to an active monsoon offshore trough. A mesoscale cloud system formed off the Arabian Sea coast on Monday, causing localised landslides similar to the 2019 Kerala floods.
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