Wayanad Landslide 2024: A Devastating Repeat of History

 

Tragedy has once more befallen Wayanad, Kerala, with a massive landslide on 30th July 2024 wreaking havoc and leaving destruction in its wake. Coming only five years after the catastrophic landslide of 2019, it raises serious concerns about our readiness and response to such natural calamities.

The disaster unfolded on the 30th of July 2024, between 2:17 and 4:30 AM.

The landslide inflicted severe damage upon parts of Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Velarimala villages within Meppadi Panchayat, Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad district, Kerala.

The calamity claimed 336 lives, injured 397 individuals, and left 78 people missing. The landslide resulted in property damages exceeding 1200 crore Indian rupees, with over 10,000 people losing their homes and possessions.

The disaster resulted in numerous individuals losing family members and friends.

Causes and Concerns

The analysis of causes, including heavy rainfall, deforestation, and human activities, is crucial.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in human activities in Wayanad. The population grew from 75,149 in 1901 to 817,420 by the 2011 census. Additionally, the rise in tourist destinations has led to an increase in resorts, and these developments have significantly impacted the frequency of landslides.

An analysis of the causes, including heavy rainfall, deforestation, and human activities, reveals a significant increase in human presence in Wayanad. In 1901, the population was only 75,149, which grew to 817,420 by the 2011 census. Additionally, the rise in tourist destinations has led to more resorts and developments, greatly impacting the frequency and severity of landslides.

In response to the crisis, the Research Foundation provided free education to 1,000 students impacted by the events. The Central Food Technological Research Institute, a premier Indian food research institute located in Mysore, supplied food aid. Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen and Sree Gokulam Movies contributed by donating funds originally allocated for the promotion of the film 'Thangalaan'. Additionally, a generous individual donated 100 cots from his personal savings.

Residents of Coimbatore donated a truckload of essential supplies, including food, clothing, notebooks, and blankets valued at ₹20 lakh (US$24,000). Kerala Bank forgave loans totaling ₹29 crore (US$3.5 million) taken by victims and survivors from its Mundakkai and Chooralmala branches. V. D. Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly, committed to covering the lifelong expenses of a young survivor who lost her entire family. The Event Management Association of Kerala offered to construct a new house for one of the affected families. Dr. Moopen's Medical College pledged to build multiple homes worth ₹1.5 crore (US$180,000) for affected families. The Kerala State Small Industries Association proposed building 10 houses on 1 acre (0.40 hectares) of land. NSS students from Kannur University contributed essential items valued at ₹10 lakh (US$12,000) to the affected individuals. Street Providence, a food bank for the needy in Sangolda, Goa, supplied bedding and other necessities. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness committed to providing food and rubber boots in areas affected by landslides.

In the aftermath of the landslides, numerous pets and livestock were discovered trapped in the debris. Veterinarians from the Animal Husbandry Department, various animal rescue organizations, and the Indian Veterinary Association members conducted searches for these animals in the impacted zones of Wayanad district. Many pets were located near their previous homes or on the debris, displaying reluctance to consume food or water and signs of shock. The Humane Society International provided temporary shelters and medical care to 90 cattle, 22 dogs, 7 cats, and over 50 fowls, with some animals being adopted by the surviving villagers.

Following the landslides, five children were left without any surviving family members, and six others were bereaved of one parent. In response to numerous families' offers to adopt these orphaned children, the Central Adoption Resource Authority employed the Juvenile Justice Act to manage the adoption and fostering procedures, ensuring the children are placed with suitable families. Additionally, a mother from Idukki, already parenting two children, has offered to breastfeed the motherless infants until they are adopted.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

Following the 2020 Wayanad landslides, notable advancements in disaster management have been made, such as:

• Early Warning System

The Wayanad disaster underscored the necessity for a robust, localized early warning system capable of delivering precise, timely, and actionable alerts.

• Coordination

Enhanced coordination between government agencies and local communities is crucial to ensure that early warnings lead to effective early actions.

• Institutional Mechanisms

Kerala must implement strong institutional mechanisms to improve disaster preparedness.

• Hazard Maps

There is a need for updated hazard maps to better prepare for disasters.

• Waste Management

The state government has undertaken significant waste management efforts, clearing over 150 tonnes of waste.

• Document Distribution

Over 700 documents, including revenue certificates, land ownership certificates, ration cards, and house ownership documents, were distributed to the families affected.

Areas for Improvement in Kerala's Disaster Management Post-2024 Landslide:

• Community Resilience

The Rebuild Kerala Initiative (RKI) initiated the "Nammal Namukkayi" campaign to engage the entire state in the rebuilding process. This campaign focuses on reducing and mitigating disaster risk by integrating the knowledge and ideas of Kerala's populace.

• Awareness

There is an opportunity for the state to enhance awareness of disaster risk management (DRM) among school students and high-risk areas.

• Community Preparedness

Training communities to handle minor localized disasters and to assist the government during major disasters can be beneficial.

• Communication Systems

Maintaining functional communication systems and conducting regular disaster management drills is essential for preparedness.

Post-disaster, states can rehabilitate essential infrastructure and services such as roads, transport, electricity, and communication networks.

Here are strategies to enhance resilience and reduce future disaster impacts:

• Construct resilient infrastructure: Strengthen buildings and infrastructure against damage, and design resilient systems to support communities during and after natural disasters.
• Implement modern building codes: Enforce up-to-date building codes to safeguard communities against natural disasters.
• Focus on mitigation and risk management: Allocate resources to mitigation, risk reduction, and management through appropriate programs and policies.
• Engage in hazard mitigation: Engage in ongoing efforts to minimize long-term risks to individuals and property from natural hazards.
• Enhance disaster preparedness: Emphasize disaster readiness to lessen the adverse effects of natural disasters.
• Educate communities: Organize disaster prevention, response, and recovery training for all community levels.
• Innovate: Formulate novel strategies and embrace advanced technologies for risk mitigation and adaptation.
• Conserve natural areas: Safeguard natural environments.
• Control stormwater: Implement effective stormwater management.
• Encourage insurance: Advocate for and secure hazard and other forms of insurance.

In conclusion, the devastating landslide in Wayanad in 2024 highlights the critical need for environmental conservation, sustainable development practices, and enhanced disaster preparedness. It is imperative that we unite to aid those impacted and strive to build a future that is safer and more robust against such tragedies.