The landslide in Wayanad, Kerala, is a stark reminder of the increasing vulnerability of our natural landscapes to the forces of climate change. This catastrophe, which claimed over 165 lives and left hundreds missing or injured, is a tragic echo of the 2018 floods that devastated the same region. As soldiers and rescuers brave treacherous conditions to search for survivors, we must confront the broader implications of this disaster and the urgent need for climate action. Kerala, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and thriving biodiversity, has become a hotspot for extreme weather events.
The landslide in Wayanad, triggered by incessant monsoon rains, is a consequence of unprecedented rainfall that overwhelmed the region’s natural defences. Experts have highlighted that the Arabian Sea is warming at an accelerated rate, contributing to the formation of deep convective clouds and heavy rainfall, and the Western Ghats are fragile. This........