Kerala

Mazhapolima wins accolades for offering sustainable solution to overcome water scarcity

Global wildlife populations have fallen by 60 percent in the past four decades: WWF

Human activities are taking a heavy toll on country's resilience to drought

The Kerala flood of 2018 was 30 percent less intense than that of 1924 deluge, the biggest in Kerala’s history. Yet it caused a huge loss of lives, property and infrastructure. Swollen rivers ruptured their banks and floodwaters gushed through houses built on the floodplains.

Every time there is a huge flood in India with massive loss of lives and extensive physical damage, there is a hue and cry. Especially, if this takes place in an area not normally prone to such floods. Assam and Bihar, for instance, are regularly laid waste by floods and so, there is not much agitation over that anymore.

More than 1000 people dead in three months in India due to heavy rains

Kerala blames Tamil Nadu for massive floods in the state

When the five overflow gates of the Cheruthoni dam, a part of the Idukki reservoir comprising Cheruthoni, Kulamavu and Idukki arch dam were opened one by one on August 9, 2018, a torrent of water and mud gushed out. Heavy, unceasing rains had led to the dam reaching close to its maximum capacity, forcing the dam authorities to open all its gates.

Kerala floods: Death toll rises to 373

Kerala floods take 38 lives, severe loss reported