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The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Kanjirappally taps technology for disaster preparedness
With landslides and flash floods on the rise due to extreme rainfall events, the eastern high ranges of Kottayam are gearing up for a tech-enabled defence by installing rain gauges to establish an early warning system to improve disaster preparedness. As part of this initiative, the Wayanad-based Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology has begun a preliminary study to identify the most vulnerable zones within the Kanjirappally Block. According to officials, rain gauges will be installed in these areas to monitor rainfall trends and assess the risk of potential landslides and floods. 'The project also includes detailed mapping of the region, dividing it into 2.5-sq.-km grids based on rainfall data. This grid-based approach will help pinpoint disaster-prone areas and support the development of focused mitigation and preparedness plans,' they said. With precipitation levels regularly exceeding that of neighbouring regions, the Kanjirappaly region is susceptible to climate change-induced hazards. Officials have identified the hill tracts of Vagamon, Kootickal, Enthayar, Elamkadu, Koruthodu and Kanamala as priority zones where the risk of cloudbursts and landslides is especially high. A couple of weeks ago, the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and the Environmental Resources Research Centre (ERRC) joined forces to deploy an automated landslide warning system in the region. Supported by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, three Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been set up in Theekoy, Poonjar Thekkekara, and Moonnilavu panchayats, all located within the Meenachil river basin. These AWS units continuously track key environmental parameters such as wind speed, humidity, temperature, rainfall, soil moisture, and soil temperature. The real-time data is transmitted to servers at CUSAT, where it is analysed for early signs of potential disasters.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Wayanad records high rainfall between June 2024 and May 2025, says Hume Centre
After four consecutive years of below-average rainfall, Wayanad has recorded significantly high rainfall between June 2024 and May 2025, according to the Kalpetta-based Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology. The centre attributed the sudden increase to a normal southwest monsoon onset in 2024, followed by an early onset in May 2025, leading to prolonged wet conditions across the district. As per the rainfall monitoring data, Lakkidi recorded the highest rainfall in the district, with a staggering 7,611 mm over the 12-month period. Mattillayam (7,022 mm) and Niravilpuzha (6,463 mm) also reported exceptionally high totals, according to the centre. 'The high-altitude regions, located along the windward slopes of the Western Ghats, traditionally receive more rainfall, but this year's extended monsoon period further intensified the totals,' it said. 'We have had a hyper-local weather monitoring system in place for the past four to five years,' said centre director C.K. Vishnudas. Interior locations such as Thettamala, Kappikalam, and Boys Town followed closely, reinforcing the trend of widespread and heavy rainfall in the western and central parts of the district. The increased rainfall in these areas may raise concerns about soil saturation, waterlogging, and the potential for landslides, according to the centre. In contrast, the central and eastern parts of Wayanad reported relatively lower figures. Kalpetta, the district headquarters, received 3,245 mm, while Panamaram recorded 3,117 mm. The southeastern regions recorded the lowest rainfall. 'By analysing data from all stations, it was found that the district received an average rainfall of nearly 4,000 mm during this period. This marks a significant recovery from the previous four years, during which Wayanad consistently received less than the climatological average. Monsoon onsets were also delayed or erratic, disrupting agricultural schedules and water management systems,' the centre said.
