A recent study by researchers at the Central University of Kerala (CUK) has revealed a significant increase in monsoon rainfall in the Western Ghats over the past 800 years. By reconstructing Indian monsoon patterns over the last 1,600 years, the study provides key insights into long-term climate variations in the region.
The research led by Dr. K. Sandeep, Associate Professor in the Department of Geology, was conducted in collaboration with research scholars K.V. Reshma and G.H. Aravind. The findings, published in Quaternary International, offer insights into historical climate patterns in the Western Ghats and stress the need for proactive measures to address challenges from an intensifying monsoon cycle.
“The long-term increase in monsoon intensity could be contributing to more frequent and extreme rainfall events in recent years,” Dr. Sandeep said. He pointed to the devastating landslides and floods in Wayanad and Kodagu in Karnataka in 2018 and 2019 as examples of extreme weather events that may be part of a broader climatic trend rather than isolated incidents.
The research highlights the need for better disaster preparedness, sustainable land-use planning, and conservation in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. Experts stressed the importance of long-term environmental policies to mitigate risks from intensifying monsoon. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the team analysed lake sediments from Cheppandikere Lake near Madikeri, Karnataka, to track monsoon intensity over centuries.
Published – March 31, 2025 11:27 pm IST
