It seems like the southern chunk of California has not been able to get a break from natural calamities. As first, the region witnessed enormous wildfires that charred a huge area Northwest of Los Angeles. Following this are the calamitous mudslides that have slammed Southern California amid early January. This weather occurrence has swallowed around 100 homes and killed no less than 17 people. The fatalities are most likely to increase as more are in anticipation of rescue, are still in danger.
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Search dogs, helicopters and thermal imaging equipment are being used to find wounded or survivors.
Hefty rains have caused heaps of mud and debris to rush down hillsides and through homes in Southern California.
The reason as to why has the situation become all the more devastating is the wildfires that seethed through the area during the latter part of last year. Due to this, vegetation that could have held the soil in place was burned by extensive flames, making the area more flood-prone. Thus, nothing stopped the pounding rains from sweeping through the landscape.
Researchers are of the view that extreme logging made the landscape more prone to floods, if trees had been in place, possibly the mudslide wouldn't have been so catastrophic.
Image Credit: Los Angeles Times