Torrential rainfall in the month of August has led to deadly flooding in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Although the region is usually prepared for heavy monsoon rains, more than twice the normal amounts have fallen, leading to dam failures and rampaging rivers. Hundreds have lost their lives to flooding since the monsoon began in early June.
The table above shows select rainfall totals from the heavy rain event of 15-17 August. Numerous sites reported greater than 400 mm of rain, topped by the station at Peermade To that saw 810 mm! It’s only the latest in weeks of above-normal rainfall. The Kerala state overall has seen 164% of normal rainfall for August, the highest totals in decades. Deforestation and urbanization have exacerbated the flooding. Tens of thousands have been flooded out of their homes, and more than 300 have lost their lives. Fortunately, the heavy rainfall has ended for the most part. Lead image courtesy Wikipedia contributer Destination8infinity.
The flood affected area at
the state of Kerala in India. pic.twitter.com/SppV9k5Ya1— MOHAMED RASHEED (@abumusfira333) August 20, 2018
Almost a million lives are affected by the worst flood Kerala has faced in a century.
Kindly help rebuild their lives and be part of #ReBuildKerala
Donate to https://t.co/hFE8FA19Us #StandWithKerala #EnteKeralam #നമ്മുടെകേരളം pic.twitter.com/17uOuxsbrY— Sayooj (@sayo_oj) August 20, 2018