All you need to know about the deadly landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad

Kerala, a southern Indian state, is grappling with one of its worst recent tragedies. Intense rainfall early Tuesday triggered landslides in the picturesque hillside villages of Wayanad district, resulting in over 250 deaths. More than 1,000 people are reported missing, and many are feared trapped under the debris as rescue efforts continue around the clock.

Where is Wayanad?

Wayanad is a hill district in northern Kerala, renowned for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and waterfalls. With a population of approximately 817,000 (2011 census), the region is home to diverse cultures, including tribal communities.

What happened in Wayanad?

Three days of torrential rain have resulted in overflowing rivers and flooding low-lying areas. On Tuesday (July 30), heavy rain triggered landslides, sending torrents of mud, water, and boulders downhill. The landslides struck while many were asleep, burying or sweeping away many people. Wayanad experienced three landslides in four hours following 372mm of rainfall in 24 hours. The first landslide hit Mundakkai village around 1am local time, followed by a devastating landslide at 4am near Chooralmala school and a third at Attamala village. The rapid succession of landslides left little time for residents to escape.

What’s the toll?

At least 251 people have died, and 195 have been injured, according to state authorities. Nearly 1,000 individuals have been rescued from hillside villages and tea and cardamom estates in Wayanad district, with 225 still reported missing. Among the missing are labourers from Assam and West Bengal. Additionally, 31 mutilated bodies were found in the Chaliyar river in the neighbouring Malappuram district.

What’s the damage?

The landslides have caused widespread destruction: many houses have been destroyed, trees uprooted, and vehicles washed away. Rivers and streams are overflowing. Villages such as Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha are cut off from other areas, leaving many stranded. Nearly 350 of the 400 registered houses in the region have been damaged, according to local reports. Chooralmala has become a disaster zone, with almost all houses and shops buried under mud and debris and mangled cars and two-wheelers scattered around.

What caused the landslides?

Kerala was hit by 372mm of rainfall in just 24 hours. Although Wayanad was forecasted to receive 204mm of rain, it received 572mm in 48 hours, according to Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In recent years, India has been battered by cyclones, torrential rains, floods, and droughts, with experts linking these extreme weather conditions to climate change.

How’s the rescue work progressing?

Relief efforts are hampered by ongoing rain, which has blocked many roads and restricted access. Teams from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force are assisting the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army. At least 481 people have been rescued, and more than 3,000 have been moved to relief camps. The Army has evacuated over 1,000 people so far. Brigadier Arjun Seagan reported that around 500 to 600 personnel from the NDRF, Army, state police, forest officials, and volunteers are involved in the rescue operations. Kerala Health Minister Veena George indicated that hospitals in Vythiri, Mananthavadi, Kalpetta, and Meppadi are prepared to handle the situation, with additional health workers deployed.

What’s the forecast?

The weather department has predicted more rain for Wayanad and surrounding districts over the coming days. Four districts—Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam—are under orange alert, while other rain warnings are in effect for Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod districts.