The devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 150 people and the destruction of numerous villages, highlight the urgent need for advanced technology to predict such ecological disasters. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor emphasized the importance of developing on-ground sensor grids to provide real-time data, enabling timely evacuations and potentially saving lives. Tharoor also discussed the challenges posed by Kerala’s fragile ecological terrain and the impacts of climate change, such as increased rainfall leading to soil saturation and landslides. He stressed the necessity of keeping political disputes aside in the face of humanitarian crises and called for action based on scientific recommendations like the Gadgil Commission Report.
5 Major Key Points:
- Urgent Need for Predictive Technology: Shashi Tharoor emphasized the necessity of developing sensor grids to anticipate landslides and facilitate timely evacuations.
- Kerala’s Ecological Fragility: The state’s mountainous terrain and slopes make it highly susceptible to soil erosion and landslides, exacerbated by climate change.
- Impact of Climate Change: Increased rainfall due to warming of the Arabian Sea results in soil saturation and landslides, as seen with the unexpected 322 mm rainfall in Wayanad.
- Gadgil Commission Report: Tharoor referenced the 2011 report recommending ‘ecologically sensitive’ zones in the Western Ghats, highlighting the complexities of resettling affected populations.
- Humanitarian Over Politics: Tharoor called for separating politics from humanitarian efforts, emphasizing collaboration and scientific approaches to disaster management.
