+91 477 2297001, +91 9387 88 21 79
+91 477 2297001, +91 9387 88 21 79
A humid tropical climate exists in the Kuttanad Region and it experiences fairly uniform temperature throughout the year ranging from 21 oC to 36 oC with very high relative humidity (>80%). The annual average rainfall is around 3250 mm contributed mainly by the South West (SW) monsoons during June – August and North East monsoons during October- November.
The climate change in Kuttanad is related to the increasing level of CO2 in the air as a bye product of various gas emissions, like SO2, NOX and even Methane from rice fields, apart from CO2 emission from fuel wood. The Kuttanad area is also marked by natural background radiation from the thorium rich coastline, and spilled over the entire wetland system, the impact of which on the green house effect is yet to be properly assessed and quantified. Further, the Kuttanad area is below sea level and therefore vulnerable to sea water intrusion due to rising level of the sea which is perceived to occur as a result of climate change. Any increase in carbon load of the air will eventually lead to an increase in atmospheric temperature (may be about 10oC more in the next 50 years or even less) if the hazard is not adequately controlled.
Kuttanad has a fragile and closed coastal eco-system. There have been disastrous effects on its eco system due to the changes in climate. The flooding of rivers, climate induced sea level rise etc. has played havoc on its nature. This has led to coastal erosion, inundation, persistent storm events, and shifts in wetlands. Saline water into fresh water aquifers in coastal environs of the state are expected to rise.