On July 30, 2024, a major landslide event caused a historic disaster in Wayanad district of Kerala, India. This incident not only caused 254 deaths, 397 injuries, and 118 missing persons, but also served as a painful reminder for local people of the changes in the natural environment.
The landslide in Wayanad district has been dubbed as one of the deadliest disasters in Kerala's history.
Wayanad is located in the Western Ghats, a unique geographical location that makes it highly prone to landslides during the monsoon season. Due to the steep terrain, the soil and rock layers here are prone to erosion and sliding after rainfall, leading to landslides. According to geologists, the annual rainfall in Wayanad can reach 372.6 mm in some areas, which has a great impact on soil stability. Sex poses a huge challenge.
Human activities have had a significant impact on the frequency of landslides in Wayanad. As population continues to grow and urbanization progresses, land use becomes increasingly inappropriate, such as excessive logging and construction, which changes the region's ability to retain soil and water.
“The occurrence of landslides is closely related to the long-term impact of humans on the environment.”
Climate change has exacerbated rainfall variability and triggered extreme weather events that are different from previous years. In recent years, rainfall patterns in the Wayanad region have become increasingly erratic, and coupled with the impact of global warming, the increase in annual rainfall has made the hillsides more moist, making the soil softer and further increasing the risk of landslides.
Faced with this landslide disaster, the government and rescue agencies quickly launched a large-scale rescue operation. More than 4,000 trapped residents were successfully rescued, but many people are still missing. The government's emergency response mechanism highlights the need for help in post-disaster reconstruction. However, solving the landslide problem also requires a comprehensive consideration of the relationship between nature and human activities.
ConclusionThe Wayanad landslide is a reminder of the multiple impacts of Earth's changing landscape, especially the delicate balance between human activity and the natural environment. Is this the perfect opportunity to rethink our relationship with nature?