THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Various studies report that mudslides and landslides can occur anywhere in the Western Ghats region. Experts suggest that there should be a permanent rehabilitation plan because of this. It was found in the studies conducted by the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (KUFOS) and National Center for Earth Science Studies (CESS) that mudslides and landslides are more likely to occur in areas with a slope of 10 to 40 degrees.

In a study conducted in 2018 by KUFOS in collaboration with ISRO, it was found that broken rocks are standing at Chooralmala in Wayanad and these could add to the impact in the event of a landslide. PS Sunil, Head of the Geography Department, CUSAT, said that the Wayanad tragedy that happened now is related to the Pettimudi incident. Huge stones detached and came down.

KUFOS Vice-Chancellor T Pradeep Kumar and PS Sunil of CUSAT said that a permanent mechanism should be put in place to relocate those in landslide-prone areas during monsoons. Japan, which is prone to natural disasters, has this type of system.

Landslide probability increased by 3.46%

The study by KUFOS had found that 13% of Kerala's terrain is prone to landslides. The rains that caused the 2018 floods has increased the probability of landslides in Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur districts by 3.46%. The high-range region of the state above 600 meters is among the areas prone to extreme landslides.