WHY FLOODS CAME& WHY IT AFFECTED KERALA SO MUCH?
BACKGROUND
The Photo you able to see is 'KERALA BRIDGE' is a scene of after the floods. This waste material not thrown by People on Bridge.
But from past so many years, People throw in rivers and Mother Nature return our gift with a Thanks.
REASON OF FLOODS IN KERALA AND REASON OF SO MUCH LOSS
Rivers and rains alone cannot be blamed for Kerala's flooding. There are also man made cause for the flooding.
RAIN
If we look the records of Kerala, The last rival of flood and severity in Kerala was in 1924, the situation was even worsen at that time. Monsoon pelted the people with 3368 mm of rain. 1000 people are said to have lost their lives.
The 2,086 mm of rainfall this year is nowhere near as bad, but still 30 percent above the annual average and less than last time And the monsoon is far from over.
Due to high rainfall - Pressure arises on DAM, and situation arises to release the water.
IDUKKI district is near 'Western Ghats' .
Water released in Unplanned manner. So many mismanagement.
DEFORESTATION
We allowed encroachments. We allowed deforestation. We allowed excessive quarrying. We kneeled and crawled in front of the land grabbing mafia. And eventually, we are suffering now. Water did not absorb due to Deforestation.
They built resorts on ecologically fragile land. They mined tonnes of rocks from ecologically fragile lands. They built skyscrapers on wetlands. And now the entire state is sinking
PADDY FARMING STOPPED
Early Paddy farming in Kerala in Large scale. But Now a days Paddy Farming almost stop.
As Paddy Farming absorbs the water
Recently, the government had amended the Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008, diluting its original intention. As per the new version, if anybody wants to build a house on a paddy land, then there are a lot of hiccups. But if it is a corporate project, then there are no issues.
The amendment is encouraging large-scale land reclamation, causing environmental degradation and groundwater depletion. Though the bill states that paddy fields and wetlands will be reclaimed only for ‘projects that benefit the public’, it does not provide a clear definition of such a project such amendments have worsened the situation in the state following the rains.
RAPID URBANIZATION
Earlier rivers flows from Western Ghats in Arabian Sea. From last three decades we have noticed the Rapid Urbanization. Earlier Rivers flow only in one direction and now we have divide the flow of rivers into many directions to build the construction.
Example : Kochi Airport - which is completely submerged in water. (As this is in Way of River flow) So River not flow properly water not properly flow in Arabian Sea and cause havoc in Kerala.
So, with all these factors, water not flow properly in Arabian Sea, Not properly absorbed.
POPULATION DENSITY
Census 2011 puts Kerala's population density at 859 per sq kilometer , which is ore than twice the all India 382.
Hence, Many people get affected and get homeless.
All these factors are responsible for flood in KERALA.
These all happen not at sudden. But this is a series of events.
In 2011,'Madhav Gadgil committee' made a recommendation to preserve India's Western Ghats. In Kerala total 42 Dams. and It has been conveyed so many times - Do Not make so much Dams/Reservoir in excess and not touch the natural flow of rivers.
The report submitted to 'Ministry of Environment and Forests' was not considered by the Center.
RIVERS OF KERALA
Total 44 rivers in Kerala, all but three originating in the western ghats. 41 of them flow westward and 3 eastward.[i.e. towards TamilNadu]
The rivers which flows through Westward earlier absorb and falls in Arabian Sea. But due to all above factors Less Paddy Farming, Dams construction, Deforestation water not properly absorb and flow.
NEXT ACTION
For more information, you can access below links:
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/what-caused-the-kerala-floods-4993041.html
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/why-monsoons-are-flooding-homes-in-kerala-explained
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-saw-unprecedented-rains-there-are-also-man-made-causes-flooding-86870
Above Information is as per as per data available in news till the date when I am posting this.
For Other Topics visit - http://learn2ogether.blogspot.com/
The Photo you able to see is 'KERALA BRIDGE' is a scene of after the floods. This waste material not thrown by People on Bridge.
But from past so many years, People throw in rivers and Mother Nature return our gift with a Thanks.
- Death Toll Rises to 370
- More than 7.8 Lakh People are in relief camps
- 8000 houses have been washed away.
- 26000 are partly damaged.
- Suffered a loss of 19512 crore and property worth over rs 8000 crore.
REASON OF FLOODS IN KERALA AND REASON OF SO MUCH LOSS
Rivers and rains alone cannot be blamed for Kerala's flooding. There are also man made cause for the flooding.
RAIN
If we look the records of Kerala, The last rival of flood and severity in Kerala was in 1924, the situation was even worsen at that time. Monsoon pelted the people with 3368 mm of rain. 1000 people are said to have lost their lives.
The 2,086 mm of rainfall this year is nowhere near as bad, but still 30 percent above the annual average and less than last time And the monsoon is far from over.
Due to high rainfall - Pressure arises on DAM, and situation arises to release the water.
IDUKKI district is near 'Western Ghats' .
Water released in Unplanned manner. So many mismanagement.
DEFORESTATION
We allowed encroachments. We allowed deforestation. We allowed excessive quarrying. We kneeled and crawled in front of the land grabbing mafia. And eventually, we are suffering now. Water did not absorb due to Deforestation.
They built resorts on ecologically fragile land. They mined tonnes of rocks from ecologically fragile lands. They built skyscrapers on wetlands. And now the entire state is sinking
PADDY FARMING STOPPED
Early Paddy farming in Kerala in Large scale. But Now a days Paddy Farming almost stop.
As Paddy Farming absorbs the water
Recently, the government had amended the Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008, diluting its original intention. As per the new version, if anybody wants to build a house on a paddy land, then there are a lot of hiccups. But if it is a corporate project, then there are no issues.
The amendment is encouraging large-scale land reclamation, causing environmental degradation and groundwater depletion. Though the bill states that paddy fields and wetlands will be reclaimed only for ‘projects that benefit the public’, it does not provide a clear definition of such a project such amendments have worsened the situation in the state following the rains.
RAPID URBANIZATION
Earlier rivers flows from Western Ghats in Arabian Sea. From last three decades we have noticed the Rapid Urbanization. Earlier Rivers flow only in one direction and now we have divide the flow of rivers into many directions to build the construction.
Example : Kochi Airport - which is completely submerged in water. (As this is in Way of River flow) So River not flow properly water not properly flow in Arabian Sea and cause havoc in Kerala.
So, with all these factors, water not flow properly in Arabian Sea, Not properly absorbed.
POPULATION DENSITY
Census 2011 puts Kerala's population density at 859 per sq kilometer , which is ore than twice the all India 382.
Hence, Many people get affected and get homeless.
All these factors are responsible for flood in KERALA.
These all happen not at sudden. But this is a series of events.
In 2011,'Madhav Gadgil committee' made a recommendation to preserve India's Western Ghats. In Kerala total 42 Dams. and It has been conveyed so many times - Do Not make so much Dams/Reservoir in excess and not touch the natural flow of rivers.
The report submitted to 'Ministry of Environment and Forests' was not considered by the Center.
RIVERS OF KERALA
Total 44 rivers in Kerala, all but three originating in the western ghats. 41 of them flow westward and 3 eastward.[i.e. towards TamilNadu]
The rivers which flows through Westward earlier absorb and falls in Arabian Sea. But due to all above factors Less Paddy Farming, Dams construction, Deforestation water not properly absorb and flow.
NEXT ACTION
- Need to look after Dam Management Authorities.
- Need to plant more and more trees.
For more information, you can access below links:
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/what-caused-the-kerala-floods-4993041.html
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/why-monsoons-are-flooding-homes-in-kerala-explained
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-saw-unprecedented-rains-there-are-also-man-made-causes-flooding-86870
Above Information is as per as per data available in news till the date when I am posting this.
For Other Topics visit - http://learn2ogether.blogspot.com/
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