Wayanad Landslide: Kerala’s Wayanad district witnessed a deadly landslide on July 30, 2024. Kerala is a very glowing and green state of India. During monsoon season, the probability of landslides increases, but none expect the deadliest landslide.
Factors that triggered the landslide
Heavy rainfall increases the risk of landslides. The grounds soak up vast amounts of water, saturating the soil. This increases its weight and diminishes its cohesiveness. Due to the heavy weight, the soil loses its stability and causes a landslide. On July 30, Padinjarathara in Wayanad recorded the highest extreme rainfall, 298 mm, in the last 24 hours due to the southwest monsoon. It is one of the significant factors that caused the Wayanad Landslide.
In 2021, the Kerala Government earned a total of 9103 cores, which is 170% of the previous year. So, the government and locals focused on building hotels, residences, restaurants, and homestays. Due to this, deforestation has reached its peak. Trees and vegetation enhance soil stabilization. Due to deforestation, the soil of this region lost its stabilization and caused devastating landslides. Kerala removes forests for agriculture and urban development, which reduces land stability and causes landslides.
Wayanad’s elevation ranges from 700 to 2100 meters above sea level. The soil is primarily laterite, which tends to be loose and prone to erosion. Steep slopes and soil composition are significant factors in landslides. The western Ghat mountain range is a high-rainfall and complex topographic region. The average annual rainfall in the district crosses 3000mm. Due to colossal rain, the soil’s weight increases, and the soil slips and slides down the slopes.
Terracing and shifting cultivation destabilise the soil. Terracing cultivation helps to reduce soil erosion, but improper design and maintenance cause it. Shifting cultivation is temporary farming that causes deforestation and soil instability. This type of improper cultivation process caused a landslide in Wayanad, Kerala. Removing vegetation increases water absorption, and landslides increase.Â
Hefty rain, mini cloud bursts, unauthorised urbanisation, deforestation, monocropping, etc., are the factors that triggered Wayanad’s landslide. Those factors mitigate soil stabilization and increase the soil’s weight, resulting in the Wayand landslide.
Impact of landslide
According to officials, the total number of deaths due to the Wayanad landslide reached 361, 273 major injuries, and many dead bodies are unrecognized. Several landslides occurred in the early hours of July 30, 2024. The Wayanad landslide greatly impacted the Punji Matom, Mundakka, Chooralmala, Attamala, Meppadi, and Kunhome villages of the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is the deadliest natural disaster in Kerala’s history.
In history, Kerala has also witnessed several landslides other than the Wayanad landslide like the 2001 Kattipara Landslide, the 2018 Kerala landslide, the 2019 landslide, the 2020 Petimudi landslide, and the 2021 Idukki Landslide. Before the Wayanad Landslide, the death reports were low, but in 2024, the death number will increase rapidly. In 2019 a total of 59 lives were lost, meanwhile, in the 2020 Petimudi landslide, 66 people lost their lives. But in the Wayanad landslide, in 2024 a total of 361 people lost their lives, 273 people were injured, and many dead bodies were unrecognized. Two hundred dead bodies are found in the Cheliyar River. A total of 540 homes were destroyed in Mundakkai.
The Wayanad landslide caused massive property damage. This cruel landslide in Wayanad destroyed many homes, public transport, infrastructure, roads, and bridges. It also affects economic loss for individuals and the government. Due to the demolition of roads and bridges, supplying food and drinking water aid to affected people becomes significantly difficult. Dangerous animals and insects, like venomous snakes and insects, are also very threatening to people. The survivors from the Wayanad Landslide became homeless and witnessed that entire families and loved ones were wiped out. They became a refuge in relief camps and experienced the worst psychological trauma.
Due to landslides, deforestation and soil erosion increased instantly. There is a massive loss of biodiversity and ecological environment. Mud, sediments, and debris mix with water and destroy the water quality. Everyone can see water surrounding them, but it is not drinkable. It also affects aquatic life.
The river water became very muddy. Snakes, crocodiles, and fishes cannot survive in this water. Everything loses its balance. Losing lives and infrastructure disrupts the social network and support systems—overcrowding in the relief camps. It increases the risks of devastating disease outbreaks. Children’s health and education were affected very much by the landslide. Wayanad’s healing time from the landslide is long. They are rebuilding homes, infrastructure, and communications that require time and resources.
Rescue operation in landslide area
After the Wayanad landslide occurred in Wayanad District in Kerala on July 30, 2024, the Indian army, air force, national disaster response force, state disaster response force, and local authorities launched a massive rescue operation. The operation was complex due to the thick layers of mud and rocks. Heavy machinery like excavators and JCBs was deployed to clear debris and stones and create a smooth pathway for rescue teams. They started search operations using thermal imaging cameras, sniffer dogs and manually. Helicopters and drones were surveyed every time to identify where the people were trapped in the debris. This also helps optimize the rescue efforts and allocate resources effectively. Authorities set up 53 relief camps.
Manual search is necessary for rescue operations because heavy-duty machines cannot reach everywhere. Sniffer dogs can quickly smell humans buried under debris and can enhance rescue operation time management. Thermal imaging cameras and life detectors help the rescue team locate the survivors. Ground-penetrating radar can detect areas where people may be trapped. Rescuers arrange immediate medical assistance and first aid treatment for the injured. Due to the demolition of ground transportation, helicopters and airlifts are used to transport wounded people to hospitals. The rescue team provided food, drinking water and essential supplies like medicine. In Chooralmala, the army used ropes to rappel and cross the river.
Heavy rainfall and less visibility caused late rescue operations. However, the whole team worked together and rescued the survivors quickly. More than 300 people were rescued and moved to relief camps. Army engineers constructed a bridge connecting Chooralmala and Mundakkai, which was washed away due to the Wayanad landslide.
Donations
South film stars Cheeranjivi and Ram Charan express their sorrow over the loss of many lives due to the Wayanad landslide. They donate a total of Rs. 1 core. Allu Arjun, a superstar from the south, donates Rs. 25 lakhs to the Kerala Government Relief Fund. Many South film stars or renowned people like Mohanlal and Kamal Hassan donated Rs. 25 lakhs, Karthi, Jyotika, and Suriya together donated Rs 50 lakhs, Mammootty donated Rs 20 lakh, Dulquer donated Rs 15 lakhs, Tovino donated Rs25 lakh, Fahadh and Nazriya donated Rs 25 lakh. Many foundations also contributed a small amount to the relief funds. Everyone expressed their grief for the Wayanad Landslide affected people.
