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Among the 26 most catastrophic weather disasters in 2024, the July landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district stand out as a devastating consequence of climate change, says a report by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
The landslides, triggered by relentless torrential rains in the Chooralmala and Mundakkai regions, caused widespread destruction, claiming over 350 lives, injuring hundreds, and displacing thousands. The calamity left entire communities homeless, underscoring the dire consequences of unchecked global warming and its role in intensifying natural disasters.
The report, prepared in collaboration with Climate Central, has identified climate change as a significant factor in exacerbating global extreme weather events in 2024.
Climate Change: A Global Crisis
The UNDRR report revealed that climate change contributed to the deaths of at least 3,700 people globally in 2024. Additionally, it displaced millions of individuals across 26 major weather events, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves. The Wayanad landslides were among 219 significant weather disasters examined, with selection criteria based on their severity and human impact.
The report painted a grim picture of the mounting risks posed by climate change, noting that 2024 saw an alarming increase in dangerous heat days. According to the analysis, the global average included 41 additional days of extreme heat, further threatening vulnerable populations and ecosystems.
El Nino and Climate Change: A Double Blow
While 2024 began under the influence of El Nino, a natural climate phenomenon, the report emphasised that human-induced climate change had an even more significant impact on the year’s extreme weather events. This was most evident in the historic drought that ravaged the Amazon rainforest, disrupting ecosystems and livelihoods.
“Climate change has increasingly become the dominant factor influencing global weather patterns, overshadowing traditional natural cycles like El Nino,” the report stated.
Small Island States on the Frontline
The report highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on small island nations and developing states. These regions, already vulnerable due to their geographic and economic conditions, bore the brunt of rising sea levels, extreme weather, and heat waves.
“These conditions pose significant health threats, particularly to communities with limited resources to adapt,” the report noted.
What are the other major highlights?
The UNDRR report called for immediate global action to mitigate the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. It stressed the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing disaster preparedness, and investing in resilient infrastructure to protect vulnerable populations.
“The devastation in Wayanad and other regions underscores the urgent need for collective climate action,” the report warned. “Without significant efforts, these disasters will become more frequent, with catastrophic consequences for communities worldwide.”
What are the Lessons from Wayanad?
The Wayanad landslides serve as a sobering reminder of the complex interplay between climate change and human vulnerability. The district’s fragile ecosystem, combined with deforestation and unplanned development, exacerbated the disaster’s impact. Experts urge that disaster-prone regions like Wayanad prioritise sustainable development, afforestation, and improved early-warning systems to minimise future risks.
As the planet continues to warm, the UNDRR and Climate Central’s findings underscore the need for a united global effort to combat climate change. Policymakers need to enact and enforce policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, scientists must continue to research and develop innovative solutions, and communities should engage in sustainable practices and support local initiatives. Together, they can address the root causes of global warming and build resilience against its effects.
The Wayanad tragedy is not just a local crisis but a global wake-up call. It highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies such as sustainable land use planning, early warning systems, and community-based disaster risk reduction to protect lives and livelihoods in an increasingly unpredictable world.
The report concludes with a stark reminder: the time to act is now. Communities worldwide are grappling with the growing menace of extreme weather events fueled by climate change, and the need for immediate action has never been more pressing.
References:
Wayanad’s Dark Hour: Landslides, Loss, and the Fight for Survival
Human-induced Climate Change exacerbated Kerala’s deadly landslide: Report
https://www.undrr.org/gar/gar2024-special-report
Banner Image:
By Vis M – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157101965
