Heavy rains and flash floods have lashed southern and central parts of Kerala since 14 October, resulting in at least 25 deaths and many more feared missing.

This untimely havoc on the state has devastated districts across the state, with landslides and flash floods sweeping away houses and buildings. In one instance, rescue teams in Kerala’s Idukki district, while rummaging through debris, found the bodies of a mother and her son hugging each other. In another instance, three generations in a family of six were washed away in Kottayam district.

Though the rain has reduced and a fresh spell is expected from Wednesday, 20 October, what has puzzled many experts is why such an extreme weather event took place in October, a time where monsoons in southwestern India have historically retreated.


And no prizes for guessing why, it is all pointing to climate change.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that a low-pressure system in the Arabian Sea is the reason but the recurrent nature of this kind of extreme rain event in Kerala has led to many experts pointing towards climate change as the reason.

So, are more extreme weather events expected in Kerala’s future? What systems need to be in place to detect this kind of event, and what lessons have the Kerala government learned from previous extreme weather events?


Tune in!


Host and Producer: Himmat ShaligramGuest: Anjal Prakash, Research Director and Associate Professor at Bharti Institute of Public Policy at Indian School of Business and an IPCC author, and KA Shaji, a senior Kerala-based environment journalist.

Editor: Shelly Walia
Music: Big Bang Fuzz
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<a href="https://www.thequint.com/explainers/kerala-what-caused-heavy-rains-landslides-october-experts-north-west-south-east-monsoon">Heavy rains and flash floods</a> have lashed southern and central parts of Kerala since 14 October, resulting in at least 25 deaths and many more feared missing.<br>
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<div>This untimely havoc on the state has devastated districts across the state, with landslides and flash floods sweeping away houses and buildings. In one instance, rescue teams in Kerala’s Idukki district, while rummaging through debris, <a href="https://www.thequint.com/news/india/kerala-heavy-rain-2021-kokkayar-landslide-body-of-mother-and-son-found-hugging-below-debris#read-more">found the bodies of a mother and her son hugging each other</a>. In another instance,<a href="https://www.thequint.com/news/three-generations-of-family-washed-away-in-kerala-rains#read-more"> three generations in a family of six were washed away</a> in Kottayam district.<br>
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<div>Though the rain has reduced and a fresh spell is expected from Wednesday, 20 October, what has puzzled many experts is why such an extreme weather event took place in October, a time where monsoons in southwestern India have historically retreated.<br>
<br>
And no prizes for guessing why, it is all pointing to <a href="https://www.thequint.com/environment">climate change</a>.<br>
<br>

</div>
<div>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that a low-pressure system in the Arabian Sea is the reason but the recurrent nature of this kind of extreme rain event in Kerala has led to many experts pointing towards climate change as the reason.<br>
<br>

</div>
<div>So, are more extreme weather events expected in Kerala’s future? What systems need to be in place to detect this kind of event, and what lessons have the Kerala government learned from previous extreme weather events?<br>
<br>
Tune in!<br>
<br>
<br>
<strong>Host and Producer: </strong>Himmat Shaligram</div>
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<strong>Guest: </strong>Anjal Prakash, Research Director and Associate Professor at Bharti Institute of Public Policy at Indian School of Business and an IPCC author, and KA Shaji, a senior Kerala-based environment journalist.</div>
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<strong>Editor:</strong> Shelly Walia</div>
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<strong>Music:</strong> Big Bang Fuzz</div>
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<div><strong>Listen to The Big Story podcast on:</strong></div>
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The Big Story is back with a second season!

The news culture of our times is noisy, crowded, and honestly so confusing. This is why we are coming every fortnight on your podcast platforms to help you make sense of the new and now. 

With two new hosts, Anjali and Prateek, the second season of The Big Story will feature longer and well-rounded discussions with experts across science, culture, technology, politics, and more. Tune in on your preferred podcast platform!   



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<p>The Big Story is back with a second season!</p>
<p>The news culture of our times is noisy, crowded, and honestly so confusing. This is why we are coming every fortnight on your podcast platforms to help you make sense of the new and now. <br aria-hidden="true"><br aria-hidden="true">With two new hosts, Anjali and Prateek, the second season of The Big Story will feature longer and well-rounded discussions with experts across science, culture, technology, politics, and more. Tune in on your preferred podcast platform!   </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Millions of listeners seek out <a href="https://bingepods.com/">Bingepods</a> (Ideabrew Studios Network content) every day. Get in touch with us to advertise, join the network or click listen to  enjoy content by some of India's top audio creators.</em><br><em><a href="mailto:studio@ideabrews.com">studio@ideabrews.com</a></em></p>
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