| 2024 Wayanad landslides | |
| Time: | 02:17–04:30[1] |
| Timezone: | IST |
| Location: | Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi Panchayat,[2] Vythiri taluk, Wayanad district, Kerala, India |
| Type: | Landslide and Flash flood |
| Cause: | Torrential rains[3] |
| Outcome: | Loss of human lives and properties |
| Reported Deaths: | 420+[4] |
| Reported Injuries: | 397[5] |
| Missing: | 118+[6] [7] |
| Displaced: | 10,000+[8] |
| Reported Property Damage: | [9] [10] [11] [12] |
| Notes: | 2024 Wayanad Landslide Report |
With the assistance of the Indian armed forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, Forest and Wildlife authorities, and the police, along with hundreds of volunteers and government officials, the authorities launched an enormous rescue mission in the area following the incident to search for possible survivors.[15]
Wayanad, a hilly district located in the Western Ghats mountain range, is prone to landslides during the monsoon season.[16] [17] The vast area of district is made of the faulted and eroded mountain edges of the Deccan Plateau. Geological evidence suggests that this region was shaped during the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana.[18] As a result of this breakup, the Deccan Plateau was formed from basalt rocks, leading to the rise of the Western Ghats.[19] Geophysical data indicates that the mountainous area of Wayanad emerged along the west coast of India during the late Jurassic to early Cretaceous periods when India separated from the African continent.[20] The Iruvanjippuzha and Chaliyar rivers, both originating in the Western Ghats, flow westward towards the Arabian Sea due to the steep gradient from east to west.[21] Numerous smaller streams drain the region into these rivers, often carrying a substantial volume of water during the monsoon months.[22] [23] [24]
Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages are located on hilly terrain and vast agricultural land, most of which belongs to Harrisons Malayalam Limited (HML), known for tea and coffee plantations, bordering Nilambur forests and the Chaliyar river. Residents of these villages are primarily agricultural communities, living in the area for generations. Most of the residents work as plantation workers, also engage in small-scale livestock rearing.[25] As per the disaster mitigation document, prepared by the local governments of Meppadi panchayat in 2020, area that comes under Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Puthumala, Attamala, Vellithodu, Thrikkaippatta, and Kottatharavayal villages of Meppadi panchayat are highly sensitive to landslide and flash floods.[26]
The Western Ghats in Kerala experienced torrential rains, accumulating of rainfall in 48 hours - of rainfall in the first 24 hours and a massive in the next 24 hours prior to the event.[27] Due to the heavy rainfall, residents of Punjirimattom, Attamala, and Mundakkai were relocated to relief camps by local authorities starting on . Despite an alert issued by the district administration, many residents in the Chooralmala area chose to remain in their homes, as the area was not classified as landslide-prone.[28] [29] However, around 02:17 IST (20:47 UTC), a landslide struck near the origin of the Iruvanjippuzha river, between the villages of Punjirimattom and Mundakkai, sweeping away both villages.[30] This was followed by a second landslide at approximately 04:10 IST (22:40 UTC) in nearby Chooralmala, which diverted the Iruvanjippuzha river, causing flash floods that washed away the entire Chooralmala village. The collapse of the only bridge connecting the settlements, left approximately 400 families stranded in Mundakkai and Attamala.[31]
According to the First Information Report (FIR) on the Wayanad landslides, prepared by the Geological Survey of India, the velocity of the debris flow was 57m/s, about five times greater than that of the "extremely rapid" category. The debris flow originated as a debris slide at an elevation of, then followed the river's path, carrying tons of rock and soil mixed with water, forming a slurry that devastated everything in its path.[32] The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), a subsidiary of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), analyzed satellite imagery and released findings on . The images revealed that approximately 86000m2 of land had moved down the hill.[33]
As per official records, Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi Panchayat were affected by the landslides.[34] Over 420 people were killed and 397 people were injured, making these landslides the deadliest one in Kerala's history.[6] 17 families perished completely in these landslides.[35] Most of victims were workers on tea and cardamom estates in the region, likely asleep in their makeshift tents when the landslides struck. More than 118 people remain unaccounted for. Among the survivors, at least five children lost both parents, while six others lost either their father or mother in the disaster.[36] The landslides led to the mixing of muddy water and debris with the Chaliyar river, resulting in the retrieval of over 200 bodies and their parts.[37] [38] The affected included at least 242 laborers from West Bengal, 55 from Assam, 30 from Madhya Pradesh, and 44 from Jharkhand.[39] [40] [41] At least one person from Odisha and four from Bihar are still feared missing.[42]
More than 1,555 residential houses and 100 other buildings, including schools, a dispensary, the panchayat bhawan, the electricity board office, and 136 community buildings were damaged.[43] Additionally, 290 shops, 124km (77miles) of electricity infrastructure (LT), 2 transformers, 1.5km (00.9miles) of rural roads, and 3 bridges were affected. The landslides also devastated total 600ha of land,[44] including 310ha of agricultural land, covering 50ha of cardamom, 100ha of coffee, 70ha of pepper, 55ha of tea, 10ha of coconut, 15ha of arecanut, and 10ha of banana crops.[45] After the landslides, all the business institutions including hundreds of shops in Chooralmala and Mundakkai towns were shut down by the administration citing the security against another possible landslides. As per Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) these restriction had cost more than to the business community in the impacted area.[46] Harrisons Malayalam lost 10ha of tea estate cultivating an estimate of 230 tonne of tea produce worth along with 41estate's employees and 48 of their family members either missing or deceased.[47]
The animal husbandry department reported that nearly 150 cattle and 75 goats perished in the disaster.[48] However, the forest department noted a relatively low number of wild animal deaths, despite large swathes of forests being flattened by the landslides. Among the deceased wild animals were two tigers, a sambar deer with its calf, and eight wild elephants, including four from the Periyar Tiger Reserve and two each from the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and the Malayattoor forests.[49] The animal husbandry department also reported that 14 out of the 40 dairy farmers in the Chooralmala Dairy Cooperative Society (CDCS) are believed to be among the disaster victims, causing a drop of in milk production in Wayanad district and resulting in a shortage of milk supply across Kerala.[50] Additionally, vast land of fodder grass was destroyed in Wayanad district.
Due to continuous heavy rains and the risk of further landslides, search operations could not commence on the morning of . However, later in the day, numerous rescuers from various teams were deployed to join the relief efforts.[51] [52] The Indian Army established a command-and-control center in Kozhikode district to coordinate humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations on . Over 4,000 people were rescued, and more than 10,000 were relocated to 93 disaster relief camps in Wayanad.[8] [53] As a precaution, schools and colleges were closed in 10 out of 14 districts in Kerala.[54] On, 144 army personnel from the Madras Engineer Group's Engineer Task Force constructed a temporary 190adj=midNaNadj=mid Bailey bridge within 31 hours. This bridge connected the Chooralmala village with Mundakkai over the Iruvanjippuzha river.[55] The Kerala government also established 45 relief camps in Wayanad, providing shelter to over 4,000 people, while the state health department set up a control room to offer emergency assistance.[56] Kerala's health minister, Veena George, stated that at least 1,500 rescue personnel, including forensic surgeons, were deployed.[57]
On, the Indian Air Force deployed Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, drones, and a specialized team of subsoil evacuation and rescue monitoring experts from the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad.[58] [59] [60] Numerous rescue teams were divided across six zones, including Attamala, Aaranmala, Mundakkai, Punjirimattom, Vellarmala village road, GVHSS Vellarmala, and areas downstream of the Chaliyar river. All police stations along the Chaliyar river were also involved in the rescue efforts, assisted by regional expert swimmers.[58] During the rescue operation in Mundakkai village, advanced radars detected signs of breathing beneath the soil. However, by evening, it was determined that these were more likely from animals rather than trapped humans.[61] On, rescue operations resumed using advanced radar equipment and dog squads to locate buried victims. Authorities later reported that 341 autopsies had been completed, with 148 bodies identified. The movement of heavy machinery and ambulances was facilitated by the 190-foot-long Bailey bridge constructed by the Indian Army.[62] An aerial survey of the affected areas was conducted by Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan and Army Station Commander M. P. Salil to assess the damage and effectively carry out rescue operations.[63]
The number of rescuers from various forces were increased in the disaster-struck areas of Wayanad on . Advanced radars, drones, and heavy machinery, including earth movers and cranes were deployed to find survivors or buried remains.[64] [65] Odisha Police K9 dog Storm, known for its sniffing abilities in harsh conditions and proven past record, was also involved in the rescue operation.[66] The rescue operations were aided by numerous experienced private establishments and civilian volunteers. Most of the rescue efforts were diverted to the Cheliyar river due to an increased possibility of remains to be found in the river.[67] Eight unclaimed bodies were buried in Puthumala.[68] The search for missing people entered its seventh day on with the resumption of search operations in the Chaliyar river, which flows through Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.[69] DNA samples from unidentified bodies were collected to be later matched with family members.[70] Traffic restrictions were put in place on the temporary Bailey bridge connecting Chooralmala and Mundakkai, allowing only rescuers to cross.[71] In Puthumala, 31 unclaimed bodies and over 158 body parts were buried after interfaith prayers, Each grave was marked with the respective DNA sample number.[72] A large number of ambulances and more cadaver dogs were deployed in the search and rescue operations.[68] Buried Object Detection System (BODS) was used to identify places where bodies might be buried deep under boulders or logs.[73] A special drive was initiated in the remote areas between Soochipara Falls and Pothukallu with the help of 12 army rescuers, dog squads, and forest department officials to find victims in Meppadi on .[74] Teams were formed, each including one panchayath ward member of the Grama Panchayath, to assess the structural integrity of residential buildings.[75] The Kerala government initiated a search operation in the Arabian Sea and sought the aid of the navy and coast guard.[76] The local authorities reported that 53 children had either died or were missing in the landslides. Rescue operations started in the Sunrise Valley area on . Kerala police registered 62 cases of spreading misinformation about misuse of the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) that was being collected and arrested 15.[77]
The agricultural department reported that 310ha of agricultural land, including 50ha of cardamom, 100ha of coffee, 70ha of pepper, 55ha of tea, 10ha of coconut, 15ha of arecanut, and 10ha of banana crops washed away in the landslides and flash floods.[78] Search operations continued on to look for dead bodies with cadaver dogs. The search teams were delivered to inaccessible areas along the Chaliyar river with Air Force helicopters, and the use of heavy machines and K9 dog squads in Chooralmala and Mundakkai continued.[79] The Indian Army withdrew partially from search operations and handed over further activities to the NDRF, SDRF, firefighters, and the Kerala police. A small contingent will remain in the area to maintain Bailey bridge and to assist with the search operations.[80] Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan requested volunteers to avoid sending provisions, clothes, vegetables or confectionery, to the disaster zone rather prefer providing financial contributions for rehabilitation as nearly 400 truckloads relief materials was in surplus.[81] [82] The state government decided to allow survivors as well as the kith and kin of the missing or deceased persons to take part in the final search operation between 06:00 and 11:00 IST on along with the disaster management authority and a medical team, anticipating some psycho-traumatic situations for the survivors while visiting the landslide-hit zones of Wayanad's Meppadi panchayat.[83] Indian Army's K-9 Dog Squad also ended their search and rescue operations and exited Wayanad's landslide zone.[84] A holiday was declared in all schools and colleges in the affected area after a booming sound caused anxiety among the locals.[85] [86] [87] [88] Disaster management division of minister of home affairs confirmed on that total 1,555 houses, 100 other buildings including schools, hospitals, panchayat bhawan and electricity office, 290 shops, 124km (77miles) long electricity infra (LT), 2 transformers, 1.5km (00.9miles) long rural road, 3 bridges and 310ha crop area have been reported damaged so far.[89] The state government initiated massive waste management efforts, and cleared 106.35 kiloliters of toilet waste, 81.64 tonnes of solid waste including 10.6 tonnes of biodegradable waste, 49.47 tonnes of non-biodegradable waste, 0.3 tonnes of sanitary waste, 2.64 tonnes of biomedical waste, and 18.63 tonnes of textile waste.[90] 3 dead bodies and 1 body part was found and then airlifted from near Kanthanpara Waterfalls.[91] More than 700 documents like revenue certificates, land ownership certificates, ration cards, house ownership documents, etc. were distributed to the affected families.[92]
The last-ditch effort started again on, after the pause due to the prime minister's visit, to search missing people in the six zones including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Punchirimattam, and village office premises. Cadaver dogs were also taken to the spot to trace the missing people.[93] Hundreds of civil volunteers including women aided to the search operations and assisted the fire and rescue personnel.[94] [95] 2 more body parts were recovered from Kanthanpara Waterfalls.[96] Revenue Minister K. Rajan confirmed that the landslides have cost around to the state of Kerala.[97] As per report of the Disaster management division 322 injured out of total 378 were discharged from the hospitals, rest were still being treated at various hospitals.[98] Government of Kerala has established a helpdesk at Chennai to assist those affected by the Wayanad landslide.[99] A special search team of the army and Kerala Police's Special Operations Group intensified the search on in five regions close to Chaliyar river in Malappuram. No volunteers were allowed for the search in Kanthanpara area which is close to the forest.[100] Two more body parts, including a human skull, were recovered from Munderi Iruttukuthi and from Chaliyar Kottupara Kadavu each.[101] [102] 253 rental houses including government quarters were identified in and around the affected villages to arrange temporary rehabilitation for the people displaced in the natural disaster.[103] A team of experts from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority was formed to carry out a study about the possibility of habitation in the landslide-hit regions.[104]
An expert panel chaired by senior scientist John Matthai of the National Centre for Geosciences appointed by the State Disaster Management Authority inspected the landslide-hit areas on in Meppadi panchayat to assess how the disaster happened and what phenomena occurred in the landslide.[105] [106] [107] Three more body parts were recovered from Wayanad's Vellarmala and Thalappali areas and Malappuram's Kumpalappara.[108] A five-member committee including panchayat members, revenue officers, and social workers was formed on to investigate the safety of the 53 rental houses, that meant to be provided to families living in the temporary rehabilitation centers around the impacted area, meanwhile the search operations continued for a few hours in the Mundakai-Chooralmala disaster areas on the banks of the river flowing through the forest below the Chooralmala bridge.[109] India Meteorological Department issued severe weather alerts of "potentially dangerous weather" category on and possibility of another flash-flood.[110] [111] The five-member team of geo-scientists of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) carried out a detailed inspection in Wayanad's Meppadi panchayat, that was the epicenter of the landslide provided a green signal for Chooralmala to be safe for habitation, but warned to avoid living in Punchirimattom in the long run.[112] The special operations team that carried out search around a 5km (03miles) stretch of the Chaliyar river in the Nilambur region confirmed that search yielded no results in landslide-hit areas in Wayanad on,[113] .[114] or on [115]
Due to lack of clean DNA to identify missing people, the government of Kerala decided on to use ultra-edge DNA sequencing technology (NGS) to identify 52 decomposed samples to cross-match 118 missing persons with the DNA profile built from 401 samples at the Kerala Genome Data Center (KGDC)'s forensic lab in Kannur, where a identification process of the Wayanad landslide victims was being carried out by a six-member team.[116] [117] Wayanad district administration imposed a ban on visitors' entry on from neighboring districts and the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to the landslide-affected villages of Mundakkai and Chooralmala in the district.[118] The government of Kerala informed on that 17 families totalling 65 members were perished completely without any surviving members left by the landslides and flash floods. Also, only 219 impacted are left in the relief camps, rest others were provided the rental housings.[119] On, the government of Kerala asked for a central assistance of as reparations for the loss and rehabilitating the affected population.[120] An expert panel chaired by geoscientist John Matthai of the National Centre for Earth Science Studies has submitted two reports to the government of Kerala on and recommended 5 locations for the construction of townships for rehabilitation.[121]
A total 1,531 rescuers were mobilized to help the rescue work from different forces including 35 personnel from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 582 army men from Indian Army, Madras Engineer Group (MEG), and Defence Security Corps (DSC), 23 personnel from Indian Air Force, 120 personnel from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) from Kerala, 460 personnel of Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, 31 Forest department personnel, 61 personnel from Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force, 7 from Tamil Nadu Medical team, 50 guards from Indian Coast Guard, 80 navy personnel from Indian Navy, as well as 82 personnel from Kerala civil defense.[122] [123] [124]
4 choppers including 2 Mi17, 1 ALH and 1 Mi5 stationed at Trivandrum, Sulur, Bangalore and Tanjavur as well as a C-13 and numerous drone aircraft were deployed by Indian Air Force for rescue operation. 14 columns of the army along with 5 medical teams, Madras Engineer Group, 2 teams of Defence Security Corps, a parachute regiment team and 15 dogs of the K-9 dog squad were mobilized by the Indian Army.[125] Other specialized equipment such as M-6 Zaver radar and REECO radar along and 3 JCBs were also deployed by Indian Army for search options.[126] 2 Indian navy helicopters, a ship INS Zamorin were pre-positioned in the area to assist the local administration in rescue and relief operation.[127] An Indian navy column from Kozhikode, a medical team, a river crossing team along with 2 sets UAV based sub-soil scanners were deployed for rescue and relief operation.[128] Indian Coast Guard provided 3 disaster response teams (2 from Kochi and 1 from Beypore) along with ALH MK III aircraft stationed at Kochi, CGS Kochi, ICGS Beypore and CGS Vizhinjam. Other disaster response forces like 4 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Forest department, Fire service, Kerala police, Wayanad district administration and civil defence mobilized 100 ambulances, doctors, medical stuff, supplies and equipment including 54 excavators, 7 JCBs, 2 tractors, 1 hydraulic cutter, 32 wood cutter and 13 electric jack hammers. 12 Guides and local transport vehicles including buses, trucks, tractors etc. were also involved in the search and rescue operations.[129]
Numerous volunteers of feeder organizations of political parties, charity institutions, religious, social and cultural organizations like Ideal Relief Wing (IRW), White Guard Volunteers (WGV), Seva Bharati, Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF), Sunni Students' Federation (SSF) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) registered themselves with the district administration and involved across all the affected sites as well as the relief camps.[130] [131] These volunteer groups, including people from other states and all walks of life, came forward to help with crowd management and to assist the landslide-affected people staying in relief camps.[132] Many volunteers from Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG), National Service Scheme (NSS) and the National Cadet Corps (NCC) also helped to the rescue teams.[133] School teachers motivated their students to take part in to the NSS and NCC programmes.[134] Students from various schools in Wayanad also coordinated to distribute the relief materials and food supplies to the landslide survivors, also provided physical assistance and emotional support.[135]
Landslides are natural phenomena occurred in the mountainous regions with steep slopes causing rocks, boulders, loose mud, soil, and debris gathering momentum, while rolling down the slopes. But the large amount of human life and property loss could be caused by Anthropological activities such as unauthorized changes of land use, haphazard infrastructure building, and other unscientific construction.[136]
According to the latest census data provided by the Government of India, the population of Wayanad district increased 11 times over a century, from being total of 75,149 in the year 1901 to total of 817,420 in the year 2011, within area of 2132km2, which means population density increased from 32 persons/km2 in 1901 to 384 persons/km2 in 2011.[137] The main reason of increase in the population in the area is availability of better medical facilities in post independence era as Wayanad is located at an altitude where mosquito-borne diseases are very likely. With the increase in the population, the tourism also boomed in the area in the recent decades as the affluents from cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram started travelling to the plateau district for extended weekends. According to the state tourism department's data, tourist arrivals into the state grew 72% from 2003 (6.16 millions) to 2023 (22.52 millions). Also, out of the 19.21 millions tourists who visited Kerala in 2022, 1.51 million visited Wayanad district alone. To host such a vast number of tourists in area thousands of the hotels, homestays and resorts have come up. Majority of them are unauthorized and do not follow forest or environmental regulations, caused large number of fatalities during the landslides and flash flood.[138]
The Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi conducted a study on soil topography and geomorphology of Wayanad and concluded that major deforestation happened in Wayanad district to create tea plantations, that conditionally contributed to the landslides. Most of these soil slide occurred around plantation areas, that indicated the triggering reason could be agricultural activities such as monocropping, in which large native trees with deep roots, that were essential to hold the top soil to the bedrock, were cut down on large scale and replaced by plantation crops, such as tea and coffee, which have very shallow roots. This made the whole topology of the affected area as very loosely set.[139] [140] Another study published in the year 2022 by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health on deforestation in Wayanad district showed that 62% of the green cover in the district disappeared between 1950 and 2018, while tea plantation cover rose by around 1800%, leaving less forest to keep muddy hills stable.[141] Kerala's hilly regions have slopes of more than 20 degrees. hence loose soil on sloppy surface increased risk of flash floods during the heavy rains.[142]
According to the Geological Survey of India, a total of 19301km2, or 49.7% of Kerala's total area, falls within landslide-prone areas.[143] Chairman of The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) and ecologist Madhav Gadgil categorised all three taluks of Wayanad (Vythiri, Sultan Bathery and Mananthavady) as Ecologically Sensitive Zone-I, and suggested the most stringent regulations, including a ban on future construction and mining.[144] But Government of Kerala failed multiple times to implement such crucial ecological recommendations citing development of the Wayanad district and discouragement to the state's tourism.[145]
The World Weather Attribution (WWA) group, including 24 scientists from India, Sweden, the United States of America and the United Kingdom studied climate models with high resolution to accurately predict rainfall in the relatively small study area around Wayanad.[146] The models indicated that the intensity of rainfall has increased 10% due to climatic change and 4% further increase can be expected in rainfall intensity if the average temperature further rises by two degrees,[147] causing Kerala to become thermodynamically and ecologically unstable.[148] The study suggested that a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to heavier downpours within short period of time causing an increase in the potential number of landslides that could be triggered in the future around Kerala.[149]
An expert panel chaired by senior geoscientist John Matthai of the National Centre for Geosciences (NCG) appointed by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) visited all the impacted villages in the impacted area and reported that a heavy rainfall-induced "Dam burst effect" in a densely forested and uninhabited uphill region caused the massive earthfall that wiped out three villages at Vythiri taluk.[150] [151]
Residents of Edakkal area of Wayanad district noticed a mysterious noise coming from under the ground around 10:15 IST on, causing panic among locals anticipating another possible landslide, hence they rushed out of their houses in the affected areas.[152] [153] [154] The unsettling sound, accompanied by a sudden jerk-like sensation, led to widespread concern prompting immediate action from government authorities.[155] [156] [157] The rumblings were heard at Ambalavayal village, Mankomb, Ambukuthi Malika in Nenmeni village, Padiparamba, Sudhangigiri in Vythiri taluk, Setukunn in Achuran village, Karatapidi, Mailadipadi, Cholapuram and Thaikumthara. The India Meteorological Department suspected about seismic activity in parts of Wayanad and Kozhikode district.[158] But later National Centre for Seismology confirmed that no earthquake was recorded by any of the seismological stations installed in the state of Kerala.[159] Later, seismologists explained this phenomenon as "Hilling effect", where the land mass got weakened after landslides and later, shifted naturally to re-gain stability, which as a result created a mysterious rumbling sound. There was nothing to worry about because there was no record of earthquakes in that zone till today.[160]
VPS Healthcare, a multinational based in Abu Dhabi, provided extraction support to the search and rescue teams as well as provide the medical treatment to the injured residents of the landslide-hit area.[161] Jio Infocomm increased network strength in the impacted area, also setup an additional tower near the area to improve communication services.[162] Airtel India increased caps on affected customers' voice and data services.[163] Kozhikode business club offered to construct 40 houses worth .[164] Munnar catering college pledged to develop an educational project worth .[165] Prathidhwani IT employees welfare organisation, Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, and National Service Scheme offered to construct 2 houses, 10 houses and 150 houses respectively.[166] Ahalia Medical Group, the largest edu-health organizartion in Kerala, pledged to adopt all orphaned children.[167] K-FON provided high-speed internet connections to all the search and rescue teams in the impacted area.[168] Sobha Group, a Dubai-based real estate company, offered help to construct 50 houses worth .[169] [170] Amrita Hospital provided advanced medical care to severely injured persons in the landslides.[171] Gokulam Group and All India Malayalee Association pleaded to construct 25 houses together.[172] Reporter TV, an Indian Malayalam-language free-to-air news channel offered to provide 150acres of land for new township.[173] Kerala State Electricity Board decided to supply free electricity to consumers in disaster-hit areas for six months, The board also exemptrf outstanding amount in disaster-hit areas.[174] Yenepoya University, Mangalore offered to provide free education to students from affected families.[175] ABC Cargo, a UAE-based cargo company, decided to provide employment opportunities to around 100 people from affected families.[176] Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) offered help to construct 100 houses, also decided to provide expert medical care and trauma counseling to the impacted people.[177] Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers decided to provide emergency psychosocial first aid to affected communities with a special focus on children's mental health.[178] Prodomino Foundation, a Chennai-based non-profit organization, offered to voluntarily clean the affected houses before residents could enter in these affected house.[179]
Faircode Infotech, a Kochi-based software company, provided ERP software for effective inventory management of deliverables to relief camps.[180] Kerala Suchitwa Mission provided reusable utensils and materials required for the relief camps.[181] Akshaya Patra Foundation pleaded to provide 10,000 kits containing 42 nutritious meals, suffice to sustain a family of three for up to a week.[182] Fujifilm donated medical equipment to local authorities.[183] Reliance Foundation decided to provide fruits, milk, dry rations, kitchen utensils, stoves, toiletries, essential hygiene requirements, temporary shelters, bedding, solar lanterns and torches, clothing, cleaning material, books and play material to affected children as well as counselling for trauma affected individuals with experts as a short term help. And also decided to provide seeds, fodder, tools and vocational training to diversify income sources.[184] National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMR), a Thrissur based rehabilitation center, provided tele-counselling services to the survivors.[185] Harrisons Malayalam Limited pledged to transfer 0.2611 hectares of land to local authorities for burial in Vellarmala village, Vythiri taluk without any compensation.[186] Noorul Islam Institute of Medical Science and Research Foundation decided to offer free education to 1,000 affected students.[187] Central Food Technological Research Institute, an Indian food research institute and laboratory based in Mysore, provided food products made of essential proteins, vitamins and minerals to combat malnutrition and boost immunity.[188] Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, Islamic reformist Mujahid organization offered to construct 50 house, to assist 50 people to create self-employment, to assist 50 children for higher education, to build 50 drinking water project for clean water.[189] Sree Gokulam Movies donated all the funds that were to be spent on promotional event of the film Thangalaan.[190] An individual KA Abdul Azeez provided 100 cots using his life-long savings.[191]
People of Coimbatore provided a truck load of essential supplies, including food, clothes, notebooks, and blankets worth .[192] Kerala Bank decided to write off loans availed from its Mundakkai and Chooralmala branch by the victims and survivors worth .[193] V. D. Satheesan, Leader of opposition in the Kerala assembly, decided to bear all types of life-long expenses of the young girl survivor Nysa, who lost her whole family in the recent landslides.[194] Event Management Association of Kerala (EMAK) offered to build a new house for a landslide affected family.[195] Dr Moopen's Medical College pleadged to build multiple houses worth for affected families.[196] Kerala State Small Industries Association offered to build 10 houses on 1acres of land.[197] NSS Students of Kannur University provided essential items worth to the affected people.[198] Street Providence, a food bank for the poor from Sangolda, Goa, provided 300 bedsheets, 300 mats, 300 towels, 2,000 organic sanitary pads and various ration items.[199] International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) pleaded to provide 500 food packets and essential items such as gumboots, groceries daily in landslide-hit areas.[200]
Numerous pets and livestock were found stranded in the rubble caused by the landslides. A team of veterinarians from the Animal Husbandry Department, animal rescue organisations, and members of the Indian Veterinary Association searched for these animals around affected areas in Wayanad district. Many pets were found sniffing around the area of their former homes or sitting on the rubble and were found to be reluctant to eat or drink and were showing symptoms of shock. Temporary shelters and medical support were provided to 90 cattle, 22 dogs, 7 cats, and more than 50 fowls by Humane Society International (HSI) and in some cases, surviving villagers too adopted them.[201] [202]
The landslides left five children (including a 40 days old infant, when rescued) without any living family members, while six others lost either of their parent.[203] After many abled families expressed willingness to adopt these orphan children, the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) invoked the Juvenile Justice Act to oversee the adoption and child fostering process and assign the children to appropriate families.[204] A woman from Idukki and a mother of two children volunteered to breastfeed infants who have lost their mother till they get adopted by some family.[205]
The government of Tamil Nadu offered for relief operations and sent medical and rescue teams.[206] The chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramiah assured the Kerala government that the state would build 100 houses for those affected by the landslides.[207] The government of Andhra Pradesh announced a lump sum donation of for the affected families of Wayanad.[208] [209]
The state government of Kerala announced on to assistance of to two persons per family for next 30 days totalling more than per month per family to those who have nothing left due to landslides in Mundakai and Churalmala area of Wayanad district.[210] On, The government of Kerala announced that survivor families will get per month as rent allowance for the rental house till the rehabilitation is completed. Affected families staying with relative will also get the same amount.[211] Later, Government of Kerala also announced on to provide ex-gratia to the families of deceased, to injured occurring major disabilities and to those with minor injury.[212] Later, on, government of Kerala released each to 617 persons, who lost their means of livelihood, also sanctioned disbursement of each to 124 persons for cremation and burial of remains.[213]
The government of Kerala confirmed on that a total of were collected by the disaster relief fund, out of which funds were collected by online payment methods, and rest of the funds were collected by cheques or Demand drafts.[214] On the disaster relief fund collection was at, but none of it was allocated for any of the relief work.[215]
| Donors | Amount | class=unsortable | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| [216] | |||
| [217] | |||
| [218] | |||
| [219] | |||
| [220] | |||
| Adani Group | [221] | ||
| [222] [223] | |||
| [224] | |||
| [225] | |||
| [226] | |||
| [227] | |||
| [228] | |||
| [229] | |||
| [230] | |||
| [231] [232] | |||
| [233] | |||
| [234] | |||
| [235] | |||
| [236] | |||
| [237] | |||
| Al Muqtadir Group | [238] | ||
| [239] | |||
| [240] | |||
| Cable TV Operators Association | [241] | ||
| [242] | |||
| Nishka Jewellery | [243] | ||
| Meenakshi Mission Hospital | [244] | ||
| [245] | |||
| [246] | |||
| Royale Hayat Hospital Employees | [247] | ||
| Noorul Islam Institute of Medical Science and Research Foundation | [248] | ||
| Kerala Karshaka Sangham | [249] | ||
| [250] | |||
| Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangham | [251] | ||
| Alappuzha district panchayat | [252] | ||
| Kuwait Aluva Pravasi Association | [253] | ||
| [254] | |||
| [255] | |||
| Ayurveda Medical Association of India | [256] | ||
| Dr Moopen's Medical College | [257] | ||
| [258] [259] | |||
| Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) | [260] | ||
| [261] | |||
| [262] | |||
| Donors | Amount | class=unsortable | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| [263] | |||
| [264] | |||
| [265] | |||
| [266] | |||
| [267] | |||
| [268] | |||
| Nayanthara Vignesh Shivan | [269] | ||
| [270] | |||
| [271] | |||
| [272] | |||
| [273] | |||
| [274] | |||
| [275] | |||
| [276] | |||
| [277] | |||
| [278] | |||
| [279] | |||
| [280] | |||
| [281] | |||
| [282] | |||
| [283] | |||
| [284] | |||
| [285] | |||
| [286] | |||
| [287] | |||
| [288] | |||
| [289] | |||
| [290] | |||
| [291] | |||
| [292] | |||
| [293] | |||
| [294] | |||
| Sukesh Chandrashekhar | [295] | ||
| [296] | |||
| [297] | |||
| [298] | |||
| [299] | |||
| [300] | |||
| Dinesh Nirmal | [301] | ||
| [302] | |||
| [303] | |||
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced payments of to relatives of the dead and to each injured.[304] Later, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Wayanad district on, accompanied by Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, governor Arif Mohammed Khan and minister of state Suresh Gopi, to conduct aerial surveys of the region. He also visited a relief camp to meet the landslide-affected people.[305] [306]
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and former member of Parliament for Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, spoke with chief minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan and urged United Democratic Front workers to provide help.[307] Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi were initially scheduled to visit Wayanad on, but the visit was postponed to the next day due to heavy rains and inclement weather. The duo visited the relief camps in Wayanad on . He said during a press conference in Wayanad later that day that the Indian National Congress would build 100 houses in the affected areas.[308] [309] Indian Union Muslim League President Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said that 100 homes will be built and provided. He also said that work, medicine and education are essential for the survival of poor people and a comprehensive rehabilitation package will also be implemented.[310] [311]
Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), expressed condolences to the families affected by the Wayanad landslides saying all Catholic parishes and institutions nearby will be actively engaging in the rescue mission and support government agencies in their relief efforts. He said Caritas India is already on the ground, coordinating with its local partners like Wayanad Social Service Society (WSSS), Shreyas, and Jeevana to deliver immediate relief support and trauma counseling to those affected by the crisis.[312] [313]
The Union Home Minister of India Amit Shah informed the Parliament of India that four early warnings were issued to the Kerala government between 23 and indicating possible rainfall of more than 20cm (10inches) in and around the area.[314] [315] The Chief Minister of Kerala responded by claiming that the red alert was issued for Wayanad only after the disaster and only a forecast of low probability for landslides was given for Wayanad on 30 and by the central agencies.[316] [317] [318] The Kerala state government decided to distribute new mobile phones, free rations, and fresh duplicate certificates to affected individuals in need of them.[319]
In wake of landslides in Wayanad, the tourism department of the state government has called off the Nehru Trophy, Champion's Boat League (CBL) as well as all types of the Onam week celebrations in the whole state, these celebrations were to be started on .[320] Kerala government also cancelled Pulikali, Kummattikali in Thrissur during Onam.[321] Later, the Pulikali organizing committee and participating teams expressed their opposition to cancel the event unilaterally, resulting into huge debt, they have taken for the event preparations.[322] Later on, The state government permited Pulikali to be hosted in Thrissur as part of Onam celebrations.[323]
Condolences came from US president Joe Biden,[324] Chinese premier Li Qiang,[325] and Russian president Vladimir Putin.[326] Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey) extended its condolences and sympathies to the people of India, as did Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Australian high commissioner to India Philip Green,[327] Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon, French envoy to India Thierry Mathou,[328] Iranian Ambassador in India Denis Alipov,[329] Armenian foreign minister Ararat Mirzoyan,[330] President of UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,[331] King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia,[332] Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay,[333] and the foreign ministries of Latvia, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, the Netherlands and Germany.[334] Pope Francis prayed for victims of devastating landslides during his angelus address at Saint Peter's Square.[335]
The Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) came under an intense smear campaign on social media, with some accusing it of lacking transparency and misusing funds. The chief minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan refuted these claims, emphasising that the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) audited the CMDRF from 2016 to 2019 and found no irregularities. He further stressed that the CMDRF was completely open to scrutiny by the Kerala Legislative Assembly and operated entirely on a transparent electronic platform that tracked all incoming and outgoing funds. Also he further stated that all transactions of CMDRF could be accessed by general public through RTI.[336] Both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) expressed full support for the CMDRF, with all MLAs from both sides contributing to the fund.[337] In response to the false allegations against the CMDRF, FIRs were lodged against 14 individuals, including the owner of online news portal Marunadan Malayali, Shajan Skaria[338] and film producer Akhil Marar.[339]
The Kerala state government issued an order to scientific and technology institutions prohibiting scientists from visiting the site or discussing the landslides or their potential causes. It said that prior approval from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority would be required before beginning any research in a region affected by a disaster.[340] Hours later, the gag order was revoked unconditionally.[341]
After a huge uproar over reoccurring landslides in the state of Kerala, Justices A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and V. M. Syam Kumar of Kerala High Court asked the court's registrar general to register a suo moto case to consider steps that can be put in place to prevent and manage natural disasters that may arise in the state in the future.[342] The high court wanted to look for the legal framework to control illegal mining and floodings.[343] Meanwhile, Kasaragod resident advocate C Shukur submitted another writ petition and demanded the high court to stop the collection of money without prior permission from the government and to stop misuse or mismanagement of funds during disasters could occur due to lack of transparency, poor oversight, corruption, and insufficient oversight mechanisms.[344] Later, Kerala High Court dismissed the writ petition alleging relief fund being collected on political, religious grounds, The court also imposed costs of to be paid to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund on the petitioner.[345]
After week-long requests from various political fragments across the nation, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) appointed a nine-member committee, in the leadership of Rajiv Kumar, joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.[346] to evaluate the severity and extent of damages. The committee was ask to submit a report to the government of India, based on which the landslides could be considered as a national disaster.[347] [348]
There was a controversy when the police closed the White Guard mess on, which provided free food to the rescue workers in the Wayanad landslides. The works were carried out in Churalmala and Mundakkai, disaster-hit areas near Mepadi. Kannur police (DIG) Thomson Jose closed on the instructions of the minister,[349] who was handling the White Guard section of the Muslim Youth League. The closure of food centers created controversy.[350] [351] [352] The closure statement was withdrawn on,[353] where food was prepared for 7000 people a day.[354]
After the landslide at Wayanad, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who is also an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army visited the site in army uniform. 42-year-old Aju Alex of ‘Chekuthan’ YouTube channel spotted his uniform and made a defamatory remarks against Mohanlal, which made huge uproar on social media. Later, a case was registered by the Tiruvalla police under sections 192, 296 (b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and 120 (b) of the KP Act 2011. But Aju Alex had gone into hiding after the case was filed. After couple of days, he was caught and subsequently, arrested.[355] Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) welcomed the arrest of a YouTuber for his alleged derogatory remark.[356] He was later released after being granted bail.[357] As per the state police, the Indian army is likely to file a civil suit against the YouTuber for insulting the force.[358]
The unregulated tourism was considered as one of the reasons for changing the land-use pattern that aggravated the landslide in Wayanad. Thousands of unauthorized homestays and resorts[359] did not have any records in the official database of government, but they could be seen on search engines like Google Maps.[360] Most of such unauthorized establishments had digital presence such as a website, tagged Google Maps location, e-mail ID, G-pay account, and WhatsApp contact number, but lacked license from local body or District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC). As per tourism department's officials only 32 such villas or resorts were registered with government, but more than 3,000 such establishments were available on Google Maps in the Wayanad district alone. These properties had been causing income loss to the government by tax evasion. They did not follow any norms of the State Pollution Control Board as well as the forest department as well. Authorities have started taking action against them.[361] A report submitted by the District town planner to District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on, compiled the reports of various agencies, indicated that several resorts located in the landslide-prone zones of the Eastern slope of the Western Ghats violate all norms and regulations.[362] The Fire and Rescue Department reported that several glass bridges in resorts operate without any approval from department.[363]
Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of Communist Party (CPI-M), conducted two pork challenges. The first event was organized at Kasaragod on and raised amount . The second event was organized at Kothamangalam, Ernakulam district, on and raised amount [364] by selling tones of meat as part of the drive to raise funds for Wayanad landslides victims. Later, Sunni Muslim cleric and state secretary of Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) Nasar Faizy Koodathay called it "religious blasphemy, done under the guise of a challenge.", as the majority of the victims are Sunni Muslim and consider pork as a prohibited food.[365] [366] [367]
The government of Kerala released emergency financial assistance of to 617 persons on as relief aid. Some of these beneficiary had taken business, personal or agriculture loans from Kerala Gramin Bank before the landslides.[368] Once the funds were credited in the accounts of the victim, the bank deducted their due EMI from the account on . A huge protest and controversy triggered as these victim had nothing left with after the landslides or the breadwinners of the family were perished. The Human rights commission -India launched a voluntary police case against the bank.[369] Kerala Grameen Bank refunded the money after the controversy erupted and case was registered over the seizure of EMIs from the affected people.[370]
Government