Linkages and reactions of geomorphic processes in Kerala Flood, 2018

Morphology of the landscape is subjected to continuous change across the geological history over the Earth surface. Series of extreme weather events are the catalyst for accelerating the rate of geomorphic changes. The rising global atmospheric temperature, warming of oceans and extreme rainfall events cause hazardous impact on the landscape of Kerala in South India. This study aims to examine the causes of extreme rainfall events in Kerala during July and August 2018 and its consequent results in landslides and floods in Kerala. The analysis reveals that the pattern of tropical circulation has undergone rampant modifications in the last few decades, particularly in the nature of South-West Monsoon (SWM) over the Indian sub-continent. Since 1901, Kerala has recorded a decreasing trend of annual rainfall along with tremendous decrease in number of rainy days, while the extreme rainfall events are increasing in the past two decades. The incidence of landslips has accelerated as a result of extreme rainfall events and modifications in the land use. Further, the low-lying areas in the state are also exposed to flood as well as marine transgression at different intervals.