The reason Kerala continues to sink... people and property included

NEW DELHI: Casualties continued to mount as 26 more people were reported dead on Thursday, taking the total to 97 deaths. The Indian Meteorological Department says there will be little respite from heavy rains for the next 48 hours, till August 19.
Live updates: Death toll since Aug 8 reaches 164
Union home minister Rajnath Singh has called it the worst floods in Kerala since 1924 and the state CM, Pinarayi Vijayan, has asked Centre for a relief package of Rs 8,316 crore.Here is a look at why Kerala is witnessing one of its worst natural disasters in decades -
The heavens just let go:
The state of Kerala has so far received 37.5% excess rainfall in just two and a half months since the southwest monsoon made landfall in May-end, whereas in the entire four-month monsoon period in 2013, the last time the state witnessed such heavy rains, the excess was 37%. Some districts, such as Idukki, have received 83.5% excess rainfall.

Read also: Damage to crop, property in Kerala floods pegged at Rs 8,000 crore so far
Breaking and bad:
The unusually short break between rains has exacerbated the problem — earlier, spells of heavy rain were interspersed with 4 or more dry days but this time, the breaks have not exceeded 2-3 days, causing the water to accumulate.

Unprepared and underprepared:
The state is an exception in that it does not have a single battalion of the state disaster response force (SDRF), which is mandatory as per the rules to tackle natural calamities. In addition, a review by disaster authorities under MHA found fault with the state for not 'gradually releasing' water from about 30 dams in anticipation of the rains. Meanwhile, the SC had directed the disaster management sub-committee of Mullaperiyar dam to consider reducing water level to 139ft from 142ft.