Dangerous flooding in the Indian coastal region of Kerala have been devastating, and so far have killed a total of 87 people.
Caused by heavy monsoon waters beating down on the country, the rains have caused an airport shutdown, and displaced more than 85,000 people.
The deluge has sparked an environmental chain reaction, triggering landslides which have pinned people under heavy debris.
India’s meteorological department has predicted no respite to the rains, and citizens in the region are now fearful of a repeat of the devastating floods of ’99.
What were the floods of ’99?
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One of Kerala’s most devastating natural disasters, the floods of ’99 took place in the Malayalam Era 1099, which was July 1924 on the western Gregorian calendar.
The floods of 99 were hailed as the most dangerous monsoon disaster in Kerala’s history, sometinh oods are already comparing.
Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Chief Minister said on Tuesday: “This is the worst monsoon disaster since 1924.”
The rains from the ’99 disaster remain the highest ever recorded in the country, and most parts of Kerala were under water.
This year’s rainfall is approaching the record set almost a century ago.
In July 1924, a consistent barrage of rain resulted in the Periyar river bursting its banks, and the Mullaperiyar failing due to water pressure.
At the moment, a total of 2,087.67 mm has fallen on Kerala between June 1 and August 15, a 30 percent increase from previous years.
Normally, monsoon season sees roughly 1,606.05 mm of rain fall.
With roughly two weeks to go of this year’s monsoon, there is all the chance the Kerala records could be beaten.
Official data for the 1924 disaster has not been available, but the estimated deaths as a result are pegged at nearly 1,000.
A total of 215 landslides have apparently taken place this year, and roads of 10,000km in length have been damaged by constant rains.
Why is Kerala’s monsoon weather so severe?
Normally, travel agencies identify Kerala as best to visit during the monsoon season, as lush greens brought out during the period enhance the region’s natural beauty.
A number of important festivals which take place to commemorate the rains have also been established, including the annual snake boat race.
However, Kerala goes through monsoon ‘patterns’ which see the area experience drier than normal monsoon seasons, before becoming prone to higher rainfall again.
A trend from 1901 to 2016 saw less than normal monsoon rains, but from 2015 has seen a general uptick in the amount of rain during a monsoon.