The recent landslide disaster in Wayanad, Kerala, has left the region devastated, with at least 167 people confirmed dead and many others still trapped under debris. This tragedy, which struck on Tuesday, resulted from a combination of severe natural and environmental factors, exacerbated by human activity.
The India Today Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team conducted an in-depth analysis of the event using video footage and archival data to piece together the sequence of events leading to the disaster.
At the heart of the calamity is the Iruvazhinjhi River, originating from an altitude of approximately 1800 meters. This river flows through the affected villages—Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala in Vythri taluka—before merging with the Chaliyar River. The sharp decline in the river's elevation profile increases the water volume and strength of the currents as it moves through these inhabited areas. The region received around 57 cm of rainfall in just 48 hours, causing the river to swell and triggering landslides. Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu noted that such intense rainfall, particularly in vulnerable high ranges, is a significant factor in landslide formation.
The landslide debris fell into the river, creating what survivors described as a "wall of sludge" that inundated upstream villages. The heavy rainwater flowing into the river from the hills, combined with the steep slope, exacerbated the disaster. Mundakkai, the first village along the river path, is situated at an elevation of around 950 meters, nearly half of the river's origin point, within a distance of just over 3 km.
Satellite imagery and reports indicate that a landslide in August 2020 eroded tree cover along the Iruvazhinjhi River before it entered Mundakkai. This loss of vegetation provided a clear path for boulders and debris. GIS expert Raj Bhagat Palanichamy suggested that the presence of vegetation could have mitigated the impact of the landslide. Removing tree cover, which acts as a natural barrier to landslides, left the area more vulnerable to the sudden onslaught of debris and water. Without this natural protection, the force of the landslide was unhindered, leading to more severe destruction.
The rescue operations are a race against time, with more than 1200 personnel from the Indian Army, the territorial army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) working tirelessly to save lives and recover bodies. The primary challenge for rescuers is accessing collapsed houses buried under an exceptionally thick sludge layer. Chief Secretary V Venu mentioned that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is considering deploying drones equipped with ground-penetrating radar to assess the number of buried structures. The deployment of advanced technology is crucial in such a scenario to expedite rescue efforts and enhance the chances of saving those trapped beneath the rubble.
The disaster has caused physical devastation and left a profound emotional impact on the local population. Former tourist hotspots like Chooralmala, known for their lush green forests, rolling hills, and sparkling waterfalls, are now scenes of desolation. Locals, trudging through mud and boulders, are desperately searching for their loved ones. One distraught man remarked, "Mundakkai is now wiped out from the map of Wayanad. Nothing is left here. You can see...there is nothing other than mud and boulders here. We could not even walk properly due to this thick mud...Then how do we search for our beloved ones buried beneath the ground?" The emotional toll on the community is immense, with many residents struggling to come to terms with the scale of the tragedy.
The catastrophic landslide in Wayanad highlights the devastating impact of natural disasters, exacerbated by environmental degradation. The heavy rainfall, sharp river decline, and loss of vegetation combined to create a perfect storm of destruction. The situation in Wayanad serves as a stark reminder of the need for better environmental management and disaster preparedness. As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on saving lives and providing relief to the affected communities. The collaborative efforts of various agencies and the deployment of advanced technology underscore the importance of swift and coordinated responses in the face of such natural calamities.
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