Unusual phenomenon has formed in Kerala, extreme drought followed by floods is possibility, warns climate scientist

KOTTAYAM: Though extremely heavy rains have become a regular occurence in Kerala, the amount of monsoon rains has decreased. Dr Roxy Mathew Cole, Climate Scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, has found that this causes floods and droughts in the same year.

"Warmer air holds more moisture for longer. This results in rain for a shorter time. The trapped moisture is released in two to three days or hours. This is also due to variation in monsoon winds", Dr. Roxy Matthew Cole said.

"When the borders and levees of the rivers are gone, the water has no way to spread and drip underground. Floods are part of this. Floods are followed by sudden droughts as the water does not spread. This has become a new phenomenon in Kerala as part of climate change that has been occurring for a long time".

"As the sea level rises each year, the outflow to the sea decreases. The salt water returns to the lake and rivers".

"How water is managed is important to overcome the phenomenon of high and low water levels in the same year. This can be tackled by implementing cost-effective and successful projects like rainwater harvesting, hydroponics and reforestation and by strict forest protection. Rather than sequestering carbon, forests retain water through plant water evapotranspiration and leads to rainfall. It also prevents soil erosion".

"Rainfall is high. But there isn't enough water. Unusual rains cause floods. Sudden drought also occurs. Kerala is going through climate change where floods and droughts occur within a month or two and repeat. A scientific study should be done on this and a solution needs to be found", says Dr. Roxy Matthew Cole.