Factors such as quarrying and a 62% reduction in forest cover have contributed to the hill slopes' increased susceptibility to landslides when the heavy rain fell.

It's high time the ESZ regulations were brought back and effectively implemented in Wayanad and Idukki districts--not just for preserving Western Ghats’ mountains and forests but also for saving a substantial number of human lives in the years to come.

In light of the Wayanad landslides, the Centre has notified a draft to declare 57,000 sq. km. of Western Ghats as eco-sensitive.

Scientists believe frequent landslides in Kerala may be due to excessive mining and deforestation in the area and the effects of climate change.