Kerala CM Vijayan Calls 'Climate Change' Root Cause of Wayanad Landslide

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday asserted that the root cause of the Wayanad landslide disaster in which more than 300 people lost their lives is “climate change”.

Addressing at an event related to farmers, Chief Minister Vijayan said, "The root cause of the Wayanad disaster is climate change. The agricultural sector is one of the most directly impacted by this phenomenon. At this stage, our primary focus should be on discussing the impact of climate change on agriculture and the measures needed to overcome these challenges."

Wayanad Landslide Disaster

The landslides that killed hundreds of people in Kerala's Wayanad were triggered by a burst of rainfall that was made about 10 per cent heavier by human-caused climate change, a study has found. The study by World Weather Attribution (WWA), an international group of researchers, found that the excessive rainfall in the early hours of July 30 that triggered the landslides was a "once in a-50-year event". 

Earlier Prime Minister visited Wayanad this month and conducted aerial as well as on-the-ground surveys taking stock of the situation while the rescue operations were still underway.

He said that the central government is standing alongside the state government for all assistance and relief work.

Prime Minister said that he has been keeping a close watch on the rescue efforts in Wayanad and has been in constant touch with the authorities. He said disaster management funds have already been released and the remaining part will also be released immediately.

The Prime Minister also met those who were injured and interacted with those housed at relief camps. During the review meeting, PM Modi reassured that the Central Government and the country are with the disaster-affected victims in this hour of grief.

(With inputs from ANI)