User:Jmmarthinusen/sandbox

This is my sandbox. This is where I draft content first.

Weather
Kerala experienced 5 low pressure systems during the south west monsoon season in August 2020. This combined with strong winds over the Arabian Sea resulted in cloudbursts which saturated soil structures, further weakening bedrock and overwhelming rivers and drainage systems. Kerala experienced 190% increase in rainfall in the first 10 days of August compared to normal patterns, causing widespread destruction, flooding and landslides. Coastal towns dealt with floods as well as rough seas pushing back on rivers, exacerbating the flooding.

Landslides
An analysis done on the most significant landslide in Pettimudi, Idukki, found that the area experienced “extremely heavy rainfall” between 3-10 August, with rainfall peaking on 6 August at 612mm , and the landslide occurring at 22:45. Classified as “rain induced debris flow” the landslide was characterised by rapid water flow from the steep slopes, through the shola forest collecting loose material along it’s course at high velocity to the tea plantation and worker’s living quarters below. The landslide created a tract 1,2km long destroying 4 buildings and killing 66 people.

Additional landslides occurred in Idukki, Mundakkai, Kakkayam in Kozhikode, Nilamur in Malappuram and Kottayam.

Factors compounding flooding and landslides in Kerala 2020

 * Deforestation and slope alteration, including agriculture, mining and rock quarrying
 * Rain conservation pits
 * Insufficient drainage systems
 * Construction (including buildings and roads) along stream beds, rivers and flood lines
 * Climate change