The devastating landslide which left scores dead and hundreds trapped or missing in Wayanad in the wee hours of Tuesday is akin to the Kavalappara and Puthumala tragedies that wreaked havoc in Kerala, experts say. Cochin University Atmospheric Sciences Associate Professor Dr S Abhilash explains how landslides happen.
Low-pressure trough
The low-pressure trough that extended from Gujarat coast to northern Kerala was the trigger for the heavy rainfall that lashed the region and the Konkan.
Extreme rainfall
The northern districts of Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod received 50 per cent to 70 per cent additional rainfall than normal in the last week due to this. The extreme rainfall added to the misery, with more than 24 centimetre rainfall recorded in the late burst of rain.
Landslide prone areas
Mundakkai and Churalmala are just three kilometres away from Kavalapara and Puthumala, which bore the brunt of the 2019 landslide. These areas are prone to landslips. The heavy rainfalls accentuated the tragedy.
Gloomy indicators
After the Kavalappara landslide of 2019, studies have found that the dense clouds over the Arabian Sea can cause heavy rainfall and result in landslides in the region. A cyclonic circulation, known as chakrvatha chuzhi locally, was also reported then.
Mini cloud burst
The situation now in northern Kerala is similar to this. It is known as mini cloud burst in Misos Scale as the event produces 15-20 centimetres of rain in just 2-3 hours. This is exactly what is happening in northern Kerala now.
