Is it safe to live in Kerala anymore?

Flood file photos - 2018

beginning of flood days

the road becoming part of the river

the neighbourhood boys used this makeshift boat to rescue workers who were trapped

the few stuff that we were able to buy after the water receded

items that were distributed to families that were badly affected

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2019

August

This time, we got heavy rain but along with it, a surprise tornado that was quick enough to uproot thirty of our trees and break some in half. One tree nearly fell on our cow shed but thankfully, only a few roof tiles were displaced. This happened after the tornado had gone, and during the night. For two days, tree branches kept falling. It was terrible. Even now, our land looks messy as it is taking a lot of efforts to clean it.

The worst part

Wayanad is a town in north Kerala. During this time, landslides occurred during the night and many families went down under the mud without even getting the chance to escape. Even now, bodies are being recovered and hundred of people lost their homes, and land.

The people of Kerala are doing their best to help by donating supplies, manual labor and money. The southern areas of Kerala were not much affected and so it was easier to help.

The question remains - Is it safe to live in Kerala anymore?

This is the second year that the heavy rain and landslides have occurred.
Is it safe to live in places that are prone to natural disaster?

When will man stop looting nature?
What man has usurped, nature is claiming back.

In our city, people thought it fine to just claim the backwaters and build apartments. Some people think it is fine to steal the sand from the river beds and to mine stone quarries. Deforestation is rampant and natural organic agriculture is a thing of the past.

In such situations, how will the environment be safe enough for the coming generations?

Will the nature which once was very rewarding and ensuring health and prosperity think it wiser to just claim everything back and restoring the lost glory?

Only time will tell.

all images - sayee