CLIMATE CHANGE

IN KERALA
HARSHA BURNWAL
  Situated on South western coastal region of India, with
700km long coastal line of Arabian Sea.
 High population density of 859/sq. km. (National average
population density is 382/ sq. km.)
 Area 38864 sq. km., that is 1.18% of India

Thiruvandrum
 CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING TEMPERATURE
According to Indian Meteorological Department, in last 43 years, the mean maximum temperature has risen about
0.8 ̊C, the minimum by 0.2 ̊ C and average by 0.6 ̊ C showing a clear upward trend in surface air temperature.
Sunstroke events have increased which were uncommon in the past

2050 Projected Max. 2050 Projected Min.

Temperature Temperature
CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING RAINFALL

2050 Projected Post-

Monsoon Rainfall
The detailed study has found that there
is an increasing trend in post-monsoon
rainfall over 40-50 years.

It is also reported that Kerala has seen a

cyclic trend in annual rainfall with a
decreasing trend in South west monsoon
rainfall and an increasing trend in post-
monsoon rainfall.
KERALA FLOOD “the worst
in 100 years” – 19
August 2018
 The flood was a result of a strange monsoon phase that defied normal rainfall pattern.

On an average Kerala receives around 3,000 mm of rains

annually, out of which the monsoon is responsible for 2,000 mm
rainfall.
Normal Trend

What But by August 19, the state had already received 2,350 mm (over 700
happened in mm in August alone) of rainfall despite the fact that third of the
2018 ? monsoon season was yet to come.
According to IMD, Kerala received 2,346.6 mm of rainfall against a
normal of 1,649.5 mm since the beginning of June – An excess of 42%
FUTURE RISK IN KERALA

Topical cyclones and hurricanes, are expected to

increase in strength by up to 10% with a 2 ̊C rise in
global temperature. Under climate change the
probability of such extreme rainfall is also predicted
to grow by up to six-fold towards the end of the
century. The rivers and drainage systems of Kerala
have been unable to cope with large volumes of water
and this has resulted in flash flooding.

Much of the water would normally be slowed down by

trees and other natural obstacles. Yet over the past 40
years Kerala has lost nearly half of its forest cover
(9,000 sq. km.). This means that less rainfall is being
intercepted, and more water is rapidly running into
overflowing streams and rivers.
 GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES (SAPCC)
Afforestation programme –
successful as several NGOs
Research on new crop varieties –
involved – Implementation of
new commission reports to FORESTRY AGRICULTURE tolerant to droughts and floods,
design of new crop calendar
control development activities in
Western Ghats Mountain

Cleaning of neglected ponds and

canals Pollution Control certificate
Rainwater harvesting mandatory
WATER TRANSPORT
mandatory for all vehicles
for buildings > 1500 sq. ft. Metro rail system panned for
Schemes for groundwater major cities
recharge

Subsidies for CFL, LED and Solar

Clean Environment Movement
(no proper treatment ENVIRONMENT ENERGY Energy, plan to make solar panel
mandatory for buildings > 3000
mechanism)
sq. ft.
THANK YOU 
 KERALA STATE ACTION PLAN ON CLIMATE
CHANGE (SAPCC) – AUGUST 2014
Aims to address negative
consequences of climate
change ad thus reduce the risk
associated with it. It also
focuses on integrating climate
change strategies with
development processes.
Placing the climate change concerns
at the forefront of sustainable
VISION development and for maintaining
the quality of life of the people of the
State.
Mainstream climate change
strategies into State Level Planning
and Development Process.
Address state specific priority issues
with respect of NAPCC.
Safeguard natural resource of the MISSION
state from climate change impacts.
Address the existing as well as
future climate change impacts and
reduce the associated risk of the
state.
Sustainable Management Activities.
Promote Research and Development
Activities.
STRATEGY Policy Reforms.
Capacity Building and
Strengthening.