Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Kerala Fire and Rescue personnel during rescue operations at the site of landslide at Kavali in Kottayam district on October 17. (PTI Photo)
Thiruvananthapuram, October 17 (PTI): The brief, intense rain spells in a couple of regions in Kerala indicated mini cloudbursts, a factor that also led to casualties, damage and loss of properties, a scientist at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) claimed on Sunday.
Citing more than 5 cm rain received in two hours in worst affected areas of Idukki and Kottayam districts, S Abhilash of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, CUSAT said it was a "mesoscale mini-cloudburst type of event".
Mini cloud bursts are marked by intense short spells which may not exceed 10cm in one hour-a classical definition by India Meteorological Department, he noted.
Abhilash told PTI that the high range areas of Western Ghats region in Kerala is very susceptible to landslides.
The starting point of the catastrophe in Idukki and Kottayam are the cloud bursts in the high ranges and the sudden, heavy rainfall continued leading to landslides and flash floods resulting in loss of lives and destruction properties, he said.
The damage potential of less intense rain spells (about 5 cm in 2 hours) may cause flash floods and landslides along the slopes of Western Ghats mountains and Himalayan regions, Abhilash has said in an article published in the latest issue of a state government publication. Heavy rainfall for a short duration especially from mesoscale mini cloudburst events also brings runoff water beyond the carrying capacity of the streams and flushes off rainwater faster and rivers and midland regions of the west coast often may experience the frequent occurrence of flash floods, he said.
The combined effects of cloudburst, landslides and flash floods may get aggravated by degradation of land due to human activities such as the conversion of forests to plantation and crop fields, Abhilash opined.
Changes in Kerala's climate received more attention during recent times as evident from back-to-back drought conditions during 2015 and 2016. In 2017 Kerala was hit by the cyclonic storm "Ockhi" and catastrophic flood and landslide episodes followed during 2018, 2019 and 2020, he has claimed.
Toll touches 18 as rescuers dig deeper
The toll from disastrous flooding caused by heavy rains and landslides in hilly areas of two central Kerala districts rose to 18 as rescue workers recovered more bodies from the rubbles on Sunday.
State Revenue Minister K Rajan said the rescue workers have recovered 15 bodies from the debris and slush of the landslides that had hit various places of Idukki and Kottayam districts on Saturday.
Idukki District Collector Sheeba George said three bodies were recovered from Kokkayar in Idukki district today, a hilly region which was heavily hit by yesterday's devastating landslides. "The search is on for five missing persons," she told PTI.
Officials said the bodies of three children buried under slush were recovered after an intense rescue efforts. The children, aged eight, seven and four, were found holding to each other, officials said.
Army, Navy joins rescue ops
Earlier, an Army team had arrived at the tragedy hit sites and launched a search operation for the missing persons.
"Few people are still stranded as per local sources. Presently no rains however heavily overcast. Madras Regiment from Pangode Military Station commenced the rescue operation at Kavali Village 4 km away from Koottickal, Kottayam District," a Defence spokesperson said.
A Navy chopper reached the affected areas with relief materials.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday urged the people of the state to exercise extreme caution even as the weatherman has withdrawn Red and Orange alerts for the south-central districts of the state and asked the public to follow the instructions of the authorities.
He also informed that across the state 105 relief camps have been opened and more camps will be set up if needed.
"NDRF teams have been deployed to Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram districts. Directions have been issued to deploy five additional teams to Idukki, Kottayam, Kollam, Kannur and Palakkad districts. Two choppers of the Air Force from Coimbatore have reached Thiruvananthapuram," Vijayan said.
The Navy helicopter has been deployed to distribute food kitsindi and other essential materials in areas of Koottickal and Kokkayar where landslides have occured.
The higher secondary exams which were scheduled to begin from October 18 has been postponed. The government is yet to announce the new date.
In an early morning operation, NDRF teams have rescued nearly 80 people who were stranded in waterlogged areas of Pathanamthitta district.
