Are the forest areas in the southern western ghats, India resilient to torrential rains? an assessment in Wayanad, Kerala based on the events in 2018 Deepu S.*, Geethakumary M.P., Prakashkumar R. Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Karimancode P.O., Palode, Thiruvananthapuram-695562, Kerala, India *Corresponding author email id: deepu_sdas@outlook.com
Online published on 24 November, 2020. Abstract During the Southwest monsoon of 2018 (June 1 to August 18) rainfall over Kerala has been exceptionally high, with the State receiving 2,346.6 mm against the normal of 1649.5 mm (42% above normal). There were three active spells with above-normal rainfall and resulted in the worstever floods in history since 1924. Wayanad district experienced the highest rainfall during the month of May- August with 33, 126, 160 and a 142% increase over the previous year. According to the data with the District Soil Conservation Office, Wayanad 242 land subsidence and landslip cases were reported in the district, and the instances in forests were not reckoned. As the district is known for its rich endemism and about 30% of its area under forest cover, which forms part of the Western Ghats, a survey has been taken up to assess the impact of these torrential rains in the forest areas. The results were quite alarming and recognised the need for undertaking a comprehensive survey and recovery actions in these forest areas. Top Keywords Western Ghats, Endemism, Landslides, Ecological sensitive zone. Top |