FLOOD AND DROUGHT SCENARIO OF THE STATE OF KERALA

Natural and Manmade reasons and Remedies
The State of Kerala is blessed with abundant rains in two seasons of South-West and North-East monsoons. it is reported that 50% of the rainwater merges sea within 48 hours due to the natural slopy terrains from eastern highland to western coastal stretch.
Rainwater runoff is getting faster year by year due to urban sprawl related increased ground coverage, deforestation, soil erosion and silting up of canals and water bodies.
Underground freshwater tables, deemed as the fixed deposits of water for the sustenance of endemic flora and fauna of the ecosystems are depleted year by year due to heavy pumping out of the water from borewells. Urban sprawl related contamination of air and water also damages the ecosystems. All these have reflections in providing, supporting, regulating and cultural services of the ecosystems.
In recent years it is reported that rainfall intensity and cloud pattern also changed and heavier downpours are occurring which intensifies the flooding situation.
Draining out of the major share of rainwater to sea during rainy seasons, due to very fast runoff, causes lesser water flow in drought seasons. This results in salinity intrusion causing greater damage to the freshwater and land ecosystems.
Solutions
Building level rainwater harvesting in urban areas
Rainwater recharging of borewells in rainy seasons
Forest conservation and ecosystem-based afforestation
Construction of check dams
Desilting of canals, rivers and dams
Encourage zero runoff campuses by internalizing the rainwater drainage
Encourage high rise buildings with less ground coverage
Maintain ecosystem integrity in carrying capacity- rich supporting regions
This situation can be extrapolated from local to global to extract effective policies, programs and projects to attain a sustainable and prosperous Earth