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2024 Wayanad landslides

Coordinates: 11°29′15″N 76°9′18″E / 11.48750°N 76.15500°E / 11.48750; 76.15500
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2024 Wayanad landslides
The 2024 Wayanad landslides occurred in Kerala
The 2024 Wayanad landslides occurred in Kerala
The 2024 Wayanad landslides occurred in Kerala
The 2024 Wayanad landslides occurred in Kerala
Date30 July 2024 (2024-07-30)
Time01:00–04:30 (IST)
VenuePunjri Matom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, Meppadi and Kunhome villages
LocationWayanad district, Kerala, India
Coordinates11°29′15″N 76°9′18″E / 11.48750°N 76.15500°E / 11.48750; 76.15500
TypeLandslide
CauseTorrential Rains[1]
OutcomeLoss of human lives and properties
Deaths361+[2]
Non-fatal injuries273+[3]
Missing206+[2]
Displaced10,000+[4]
Map

In the early hours of 30 July 2024, multiple landslides occurred at Punjri Matom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, Meppadi and Kunhome villages of Wayanad district, Kerala, India. Heavy rains triggered the collapse of hillsides, resulting in torrents of mud, water, and boulders cascading down onto the area. With at least 361 deaths reported, over 273 injuries, and 206 reported missing, the landslides marked one of the deadliest natural disasters in Kerala's history.[2][3] The landslides are among several extreme weather events that have occurred in India in recent years.[5]

Background

[edit]

Wayanad, a hilly district in the Western Ghats mountain range, is prone to landslides during the monsoon season.[6][7][8][9] Due to heavy rainfall in the area, the residents in the Punjri Matom, Attamala and Mundakkai areas were moved by local authorities to relief camps on 29 June. Despite an alert issued by the district administration, many residents of the Chooramala area stayed in their houses as it was not marked as a landslide-prone area.[10] An estimated 570 mm (22.5 in) of rainfall was recorded in the two days preceding the disaster.[11]

A 2022 study published in 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. In addition, Kerala's hilly regions have slopes of more than 20 degrees; these two factors may contribute to the increased risk of flash floods during heavy rains.[12] According to the Geological Survey of India, a total of 19,301 km2 (7,452 sq mi), or 49.7% of Kerala's total area, falls within landslide-prone areas.[13]

Incident

[edit]

It is considered that landslide originated at Punjri Matom village in Wayanad.[2] The first landslide struck the village of Mundakkai in Meppadi Grama Panchayat at around 01:00 IST, which swept away the entire village, followed by a second landslide to the north in nearby Chooralmala at around 04:10. The second landslide diverted the Iruvazhinji River, resulting in flash floods and washing away the Chooralmala village. Approximately 400 families were stranded in Mundakkai and Attamala following the collapse of the only bridge connecting the settlements and Chooramala.[2] Overall, six villages, namely Punjri Matom, Meppadi, Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala, and Kunhome, were affected by the landslides.[8][14]

The landslides killed 361 and injured over 273, making them the deadliest landslides in Kerala's history;[2][3] most victims were workers on tea and cardamom estates located in the region and were likely asleep in their makeshift tents when the landslides struck.[8] Another 206 people were left unaccounted for.[2][15][16] In Chooralmala, survivors mourned the loss of their fellow villagers, with one villager stating that up to 90% of the people he knew in the village had perished.[17] Muddy water and debris flowed and merged with the Chaliyar River, from which at least 200 bodies were found.[2][8][14][18]

Rescue operation

[edit]

State and national disaster relief teams were dispatched immediately to conduct rescue operations but were hindered by strong river currents and heavy rains. The Indian Army sent more than 200 personnel to the area to assist with search and rescue operations. Local hospitals treated over 518 including more than 273 wounded people; more than 4000 people were rescued and over 10000 people were sent to 93 disaster relief camps in Wayanad.[19][2][20][21] Schools and colleges were closed in 10 of 14 districts.[8][22] Kerala's State Disaster Management Authority, Kerala Fire & Rescue Services, and Kerala police, along with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Defence Security Corps (DSC), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and volunteers participated in rescue operations.

On 30 July, inclement weather with heavy rains and landslides hampered the rescue efforts. According to NDRF commander Akhilesh Kumar, rescue operations were paused during the night due to heavy rains and the threat of further landslides in the area. Six hundred NDRF teams were deployed in addition to over fifty teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard to take part in the relief operations.[23][24]

On 31 July, about 1500 personnel of the Armed Forces were deployed to the area. A command-and-control center was set up in Kozhikode by the Army to coordinate humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. Navy river crossing teams had also been dispatched.[25]

On 1 August, a temporary 190-foot-long (58 m) Bailey bridge was constructed by the 144 army-men from the Army's Engineer Task Force of the Madras Engineer Group to connect the Chooralmala village with Mundakkai over the Iruvanipzha River within 31 hours.[26] The Kerala government set up 45 relief camps in the Wayanad district, accommodating over 4000 people. The state health department also established a control room for assistance in case of emergency.[20] The health minister of Kerala, Veena George, said that at least 1500 rescue personnel were deployed, including forensic surgeons.[27]

On 2 August, the Indian Air Force deployed C-130 and drone aircraft from Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad, as well as a specialized team of experts for sub soil evacuation and rescue monitoring.[28][29][30] Forty teams of rescue personnel were divided over six zones consisting of Attamala and Aaranmala; Mundakkai; Punjirimattam; Vellarmala Village Road; GVHSS Vellarmala; and downstream of the Chaliyar River. Eight police stations along the Chaliyar River were also involved in the rescue efforts with regional expert swimmers.[31] During the rescue operation in the Mundakkai village, advanced radars detected signs of breathing under the soil, however, in the evening it was determined it is more likely to be that of animals rather than trapped humans.[32]

On 3 August, rescue operations resumed using advanced radar equipment and dog squads to detect buried victims. Authorities later informed that 341 autopsies were completed, and 148 bodies were identified. The movement of heavy machineries and ambulances were facilitated by the construction of the 190-foot-long bailey bridge by the Indian Army.[33] Aerial survey of the affected areas was conducted by Air Marshal B Manikantan and Army Station Commander M P Salil to evaluate the damage and effectively carry out rescue operations.[34]

Rescuers numbered over 1300 by August 4. Heavy machinery, including earth movers and cranes were deployed to find survivors or buried remains.[35][36]

Response

[edit]

Domestic

[edit]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced payments of ₹2 lakh (US$2,400) to relatives of the dead and ₹50,000 (US$600) to each injured.[37] 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.[38] The government of Tamil Nadu offered ₹5 crore for relief operations and sent medical and rescue teams.[39] Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi were initially scheduled to visit Wayanad on 31 July, 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 1 August. He said during a press conference in Wayanad later that day that the Indian National Congress would build 100 houses in the affected areas.[40][41] The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramiah assured the Kerala government that the state would build 100 houses for those affected by the landslides.[42]

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 26 July indicating possible rainfall of more than 20 cm (7.9 in) in and around the area.[43][44] 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 31 July by the central agencies.[45][46][47]

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.[48] Hours later, the gag order was revoked unconditionally.[49]

International

[edit]

Condolences came from US president Joe Biden,[50] Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian[51] as well as Chinese Premier Li Qiang[52], and Russian president Vladimir Putin.[51] Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its condolences and sympathies to the people of India,[51] as did Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu,[51] Australian high commissioner to India Philip Green,[53] Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon,[53] French envoy to India Thierry Mathou,[54] Armenian minister of foreign affairs Ararat Mirzoyan,[55] President of UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,[56] and the Saudi Embassy in India.[57]

Monetary aid

[edit]

Corporate and NGOs

[edit]
Doners Amount Reference
Lulu Group International ₹5 crore (US$600,000) [56][58]
RP Group ₹5 crore (US$600,000) [56][58]
Kalyan Jewellers ₹5 crore (US$600,000) [56][58]
Malabar Group ₹5 crore (US$600,000) [56][58]
Aster DM Healthcare ₹5 crore (US$600,000) [56][58]
Adani Group ₹5 crore (US$600,000) [56][58]
Thiruvananthapuram municipal corporation ₹2 crore (US$240,000) [59]
Pothys Retail Ltd ₹50 lakh (US$60,000) [60]
Bhima Jewellery Group ₹2 crore (US$240,000) [60]
Cochin Shipyard Limited ₹1 crore (US$120,000) [60]

Civil society

[edit]
Doners Amount Reference
Suriya
Karthi
Jyothika		 ₹50 lakh (US$60,000) [61]
Vikram ₹20 lakh (US$24,000) [61]
Mammootty
Dulquer Salmaan		 ₹35 lakh (US$42,000) [61]
Fahadh Fasil
Nazriya Nazim		 ₹25 lakh (US$30,000) [61]
Rashmika Mandanna ₹10 lakh (US$12,000) [61]
Mohanlal ₹3 crore (US$360,000) [62]
Nayanthara
Vignesh Shivan		 ₹20 lakh (US$24,000) [63]
Anand Patwardhan ₹2.2 lakh (US$2,600) [64]
Allu Arjun ₹25 lakh (US$30,000) [65],
Chiranjeevi
Ram Charan		 ₹1 crore (US$120,000) [66]
Jayaram ₹5 lakh (US$6,000) [67]
Orthodox church ₹5 crore (US$600,000) [67]

Rehabilitation work

[edit]
Organization Details Reference
VPS Healthcare Extraction support and medical treatment [56][68]
Jio Increased network strength
An additional tower near the area to improve communication services		 [56][68]
Airtel Increased caps on affected customers' voice and data services [68]
Kozhikode Business Club To build 50 houses [69]
Munnar Catering College An educational project [70]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Torrential Rains Triggered Landslides". The Wire. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Wayanad landslides: 133 dead, 481 saved, at least 98 missing". Onmanorama. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024. In terms of fatalities, this is the largest landslide-related disaster to strike Kerala. Death toll rises to 361. 198 dead bodies recovered from Chaliyar River so far. 206 people still missing. 148 dead bodies identified. Of the 518 people admitted to various hospitals, 209 have been discharged. Army restored connectivity till Punchirimattam, which is regarded as the origin site of the landslide. 2 more dead bodies recovered today from the banks of Chaliyar River.
  3. ^ a b c "Kerala landslides: Rescue continues on 5th day, over 1,300 rescuers at work". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. Retrieved August 3, 2024. 273 were injured in the massive landslides that hit Wayanad district in the wee hours of July 30.
  4. ^ "Police heroically rescue youngsters trapped in Soochipara; airlifted to safety". Kerala Kaumudi. Retrieved August 3, 2024. More than 10,000 people have been moved to 93 relief camps across the district.
  5. ^ Arif, Ainnie (July 31, 2024). "Kerala landslide: a look at the extreme weather events in India recently". The Indian Express. Reuters.
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  9. ^ "What is soil piping? Did this phenomenon trigger Wayanad landslide". Onmanorama. Retrieved August 4, 2024. The massive landslide that occurred at Puthumala in Wayanad was attributed to soil piping. Meppady is a place located not so far from Puthumala and experts believe that the landslide in Mundakkai may be linked to it as well.
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  49. ^ "Gag order Withdrawn". timesofindia. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
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  51. ^ a b c d Banerjee, Aveek (August 1, 2024). "Russia, China convey 'deepest condolences' to President Murmu, PM Modi on Wayanad landslides". India TV News.
  52. ^ "Chinese Premier sends condolence message to PM Modi on Kerala landslides". ANI News. August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  53. ^ a b Gupta, Avijit (August 1, 2024). "Wayanad Landslide: Israeli, Australian Envoys Express Condolences For Victims". Newsx.
  54. ^ Sarkar, Shankhayaneel (August 1, 2024). "Wayanad Landslides: Chinese, French Envoys Extend Condolences To Victims, Kin Of Deceased". News18.
  55. ^ Ararat, Mirzoyan [@AraratMirzoyan] (August 1, 2024). "Saddened to learn of the massive landslides in the #Wayanad district, #Kerala🇮🇳, which caused loss of lives, injuries & extensive damages. My deepest condolences & sincere sympathies to the bereaved families. @DrSJaishankar" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  56. ^ a b c d e f g h i Saseendran, Sajila (August 1, 2024). "Kerala landslides: UAE-based Indian business groups pledge millions for relief, rehabilitation assistance". Gulf News.
  57. ^ "വയനാട് ഉരുൾ ദുരന്തം: അനുശോചിച്ച് സൗദി" [Wayanad landslide disaster: Saudi condoles]. Madhyamam (in Malayalam). July 31, 2024.
  58. ^ a b c d e f "ഉരുൾപൊട്ടൽ ദുരന്തം: വയനാടിന് സഹായം പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ച് ഗൗതം അദാനിയും എംഎ യൂസഫ് അലിയും; സിഎംഡിആർഎഫിൽ 5 കോടി വീതം നൽകി" [Landslide disaster: Gautam Adani and MA Yusuf Ali announce aid to Wayanad; 5 crore each in CMDRF]. Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Malayalam). Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  59. ^ "Wayanad landslides: None found in spot where thermal scanner detected breath signal; Army ends search". Onmanorama (in Malayalam). August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  60. ^ a b c "Pothys & Cochin Shipyard". Onmanorama. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  61. ^ a b c d e Nyayapati, Neeshita (August 1, 2024). "Wayanad landslide: Suriya, Vikram, Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil donate to Kerala". Hindustan Times. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  62. ^ "Mohanlal visits Wayanad, reaches Territorial Army base camp". Onmanorama. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  63. ^ Deb, Sayantani (August 2, 2024). "Wayanad Landslides: Nayanthara And Vignesh Shivan Donate Rs. XX Lakh For The Victims, 'Can't Match The Losses'". Filmibeat. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  64. ^ "Anand Patwardhan". new Indian Express. August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  65. ^ "Allu Arjun". The Indian Express. August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  66. ^ "Chiranjeevi-Ram Charan". siasat. August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  67. ^ a b "Orthodox church & Jayaram". Onmanorama. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  68. ^ a b c Aadeetya, S (August 1, 2024). "Wayanad Landslide Impact: Jio And Airtel Offer Free Mobile Data and Other Services For Affected Users". News18. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  69. ^ "Kozhikode Business Club". Onmanorama. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  70. ^ "Munnar Catering College". Onmanorama. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
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