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The idyllic hill district of Wayanad in Kerala has been transformed into a scene of devastation following devastating landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains. The catastrophe, which struck early Tuesday morning, has claimed the lives of at least 151 people, with dozens more still missing. The picturesque tea estates that once defined the region now lie in ruins, with countless houses destroyed and trees uprooted.
The landslides, which occurred in two successive waves before dawn, wreaked havoc on the tea plantations, particularly impacting the 350 families residing in the area. Most of these families, surrounded by tea and cardamom estates, were caught unawares while asleep. One survivor, recounting the terrifying night, described feeling her bed shake and hearing loud noises. She was unable to open her jammed door, and despite calling for help from her neighbours and son, she was initially trapped inside her home. Thankfully, neighbours eventually broke down the door with an axe, rescuing her just before the second landslide struck, washing her house away.
The survivor's tragic account highlights the devastating impact of the landslides. She lost relatives in the disaster, with some bodies recovered and others still missing. This loss, coupled with the destruction of her home and livelihood, leaves her in a state of despair, uncertain of her future. This story is a reflection of the human cost of the catastrophe, with countless families grappling with loss, displacement, and uncertainty.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams from the NDRF, state rescue agencies, and the DSC Centre in Kannur working tirelessly to reach survivors and retrieve victims trapped under the debris. The government is also considering constructing a portable Bailey bridge to connect the affected area, as the main bridge to the nearest town of Chooralmala was destroyed. The scale of the devastation, with countless homes destroyed, vital infrastructure compromised, and hundreds of lives lost, underscores the urgency of the ongoing rescue efforts and the immense challenges facing the region as it seeks to rebuild and recover from this disaster.
Source: Wayanad landslide victim recounts harrowing escape: ‘Couldn't open the door’