Kerala CM Meets PM Modi to Discuss Wayanad Rehabilitation Amidst Climate Concerns

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the rehabilitation of Wayanad. The focus was on addressing the impact of climate change on agriculture. A study found that the Wayanad landslides were exacerbated by climate change, underscoring the need for better risk assessments and early warning systems.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the rehabilitation efforts for Wayanad, according to an official release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The state government submitted an additional, detailed memorandum requested by the Centre.

On August 17, CM Vijayan attributed the root cause of the Wayanad landslide disaster to climate change. 'The agricultural sector is one of the most directly impacted by this phenomenon,' he stated during the Farmers' Day celebrations. He emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change impacts on agriculture.

Experts estimate a significant decrease in rain-dependent rice and wheat yields in India due to climate change by 2050 and 2080. The landslides in Wayanad, which resulted in hundreds of deaths, were triggered by a burst of rainfall exacerbated by human-induced climate change, a study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) found. The study, conducted by 24 researchers, calls for rigorous risk assessments and improved early warning systems in northern Kerala's hillside regions.

(With inputs from agencies.)