The Kerala Flood: Human Influence or Natural Occurrence?

The recent flood in Kerala has led to intense debates about who is responsible: the human inhabitants or the natural forces at play. This article delves into the multifaceted causes, examining the role of government policies, environmental practices, and urban development.

Man-Made or Natural?

Initial evidence suggests that the situation resulted from a combination of natural factors and human interventions. Kerala experienced an unusually high rainfall this year, marking one of the wettest monsoons on record. However, the failure to manage the released water from dams in a timely manner has been highlighted as a significant human factor contributing to the disaster.

Government's Role

The Kerala Electricity Minister has admitted that the decision to store more water in the monsoon season was driven by the desire to generate more electricity. This strategy, while beneficial for energy production, created challenges that the government did not adequately address. The minister was reported to have stated that releasing the water earlier would have resulted in lower electricity production, which suggests a trade-off between immediate economic benefits and disaster mitigation.

Environmental Practices and Urban Development

Several environmental and urban development issues have exacerbated the impact of the flood. Human activities such as illegal mining, construction of buildings in vulnerable areas, and improper urban planning have increased the risk of landslides and river diversion.

For instance, in hill stations like Munnar and Wayanad, numerous resorts, hotels, and houses were constructed on hill edges and near river valleys. This has resulted in increased soil and slope instability during heavy rains, leading to significant landslides. Additionally, many buildings were constructed along river routes, leading to the diversion of water flow and increased flood risks in residential areas and towns, some of which were encroached upon.

Local Government Inaction and Development Mistakes

The government's failure to implement stricter regulations has permitted large-scale illegal mining operations. Despite reports and local protests, over 1700 illegal mines were operational, contributing to soil erosion and increased landslide risk. The imbalance created by these activities has made affected regions more vulnerable to natural disasters.

Furthermore, poorly planned development projects, such as dam constructions, have altered natural river pathways and decreased water levels in rivers, leading to opportunistic construction. For example, areas near the Nedumbassery airport saw construction that redirected natural water paths.

The construction of amusement parks on mountainous areas has also led to environmental degradation and increased the risk of landslides during heavy rains.

Forecasting and Response

The weather forecast for such unprecedented rainfall was not accurate, leaving the administration with limited time to act. While no one forecasted such extreme rainfall, the delay in releasing excess water from dams was a critical error. This oversight cost many lives and resulted in significant property damage.

Conclusion

While natural disasters cannot be entirely controlled, the human role in exacerbating the situation in Kerala cannot be overlooked. A collective failure of the administration and local residents, where government inaction and poor planning have played significant roles, contributed to the severity of the flood. Ultimately, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable development and disaster preparedness to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters.