Mundakkai Declared High Risk Landslide Zone In 2019 But No Action Followed

New Delhi: The natural hazard zonation of Wayanad, as outlined in the 2019 district disaster management plan, highlighted Mundakkai in Vellarimala as a high-risk area requiring special attention due to landslide and flood risks. However, nothing could prepare the village and authorities for the tragic events that unfolded early Tuesday morning. A massive debris flow surged downhill, devastating homes and claiming over 160 lives. 

Kerala was given early warning: Amit Shah

Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had told parliament that the Kerala government was given warning about potential landslides on July 23 -- a week before the Wayanad tragedy.

"India is among four countries that can provide warning on natural disasters at least seven days in advance," he had said, underscoring that the Centre had also sent nine NDRF teams. "The Kerala government did not evacuate people in time," he had told Rajya Sabha. 

Here’s what all happened so far

The devastating landslide in Wayanad occurred in the early hours of July 30, 2024, beginning with an initial slide around 1 am followed by a more destructive one at 4:30 am. 

The victims, many asleep at the time, had little chance to escape. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan mobilized all government agencies for search and rescue, although efforts were hindered by a destroyed bridge to Mundakkai. 

Extent of calamity 

Chooralmala village suffered the worst, with mud and debris burying almost all houses and shops, amidst scattered vehicles. 

Torrential rains, which began on Monday night, led to the collapse of hillsides, triggering massive torrents of mud, water, and boulders that cascaded down onto unsuspecting residents.

The affected areas in Wayanad include Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha towns, which remain cut off following the landslide. 

Wayanad soil perfect foil for disaster

In the aftermath of the landslide, Kerala experts shed light on the unprecedented scale of the disaster and its underlying geological factors. Assistant Professor Sajin Kumar K S from Kerala University's Geology Department, known for extensive research on landslides, emphasized the unpredictability of the run-out distance in the recent event.

"We knew the potential location of the landslide, but the extent of its reach was unprecedented," stated Professor Sajin Kumar K S. "The terrain's slope and the immense volume of material propelled by heavy rainfall exacerbated the devastation,” he added while speaking to Onmanorama. 

"Wayanad's silty soil with a slippery texture, coupled with an unusually thick soil profile up to 5 meters, acted like a perfect storm," explained G Sankar, former scientist with the National Centre for Earth Science Studies. “The intense rainfall, nearly triple the usual amount in a short span, increased pore pressure within the soil mass to dangerous levels, akin to a dam burst.”

Army leads rescue efforts in Wayanad

Military personnel have ramped up search and rescue efforts in the landslide-hit Wayanad, with the Army claiming the recovery of approximately 70 bodies and the rescue of nearly 1,000 individuals. 

A coordinated rescue operation involving multiple agencies, including the Army, Navy, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), is underway to locate and assist survivors in areas of Wayanad severely impacted by landslides. The Air Force has also joined the effort and working closely with other agencies to reach individuals stranded due to the loss of road connectivity in affected regions.  

Late on Monday night, three landslides occurred amid heavy rains, striking with such force that many people were caught off-guard while they were asleep. The aftermath revealed a tragic scene, with numerous bodies found on cots and buried under mud. The areas hardest hit by the landslides include Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha hamlets.

An Indian Navy team from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur district was dispatched to Chooralmala to assist with rescue operations, at the request of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Army and Air Force have also mobilised for rescue operations in the area, which have been hampered by the collapse of a main bridge in Chooralmala.

PM Modi’s ex-gratia 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi swiftly announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the deceased families and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi urged increased compensation in Parliament. 

Rescue operations persisted with 200 soldiers and medical teams, along with Air Force helicopters deployed despite adverse weather. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin assured support with rescue teams and Rs 5 crore aid. Continuous rainfall and landslide risks posed ongoing challenges to rescue efforts.

Over 180 people are missing and more than 300 houses were completely destroyed in the landslides that hit the Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas of the district, according to the district administration. Of the dead, 75 have been identified and post-mortems of 123 have been completed.According to the district administration, the numbers of those who died are expected to increase even more and hundreds are feared to be buried under the debris.