Heaped in mud, ravaged by boulders, Chooralmala and Mundakkai paint a tragic picture

Kalpetta: Devastated by savage landslides that mercilessly wiped out a village, a frustrated rescue mission is underway to determine if anything remains after the ghastly, gruesome spell of landslides swept through the region. Shattered by this unexpected disaster, the entire district stands frozen and livid, still reeling from another landslide that hit Puththumala in 2019, claiming 17 lives according to official sources. However, the gravity of the current disaster is immense, with authorities confirming 106 deaths already and fears that the number will rise as the search continues.

A glance at the region would send shivers down anyone's spine, as the area is now filled with heavy boulders, mud, soil and tree branches. The magnitude of destruction is heart-wrenching. In one of the most tragic incidents in the state's history, the administration is working tirelessly to restore normalcy to the region. 'Impossible,' one would say today, as Chooralmala and Mundakkai have been reduced to mere names, leaving a trail of unparalleled destruction.

The impact of the tragedy can be understood from the fact that around 20 bodies, or rather parts of human bodies, have been recovered from the Chaliyar River at Pothukallu, near Nilambur, 25 km away from the landslide-hit area. Official confirmation regarding the recovery of bodies has not yet been released, but it is estimated that the number could exceed 100, according to some officials.

Rescue operators were able to access Chooralmala and nearby regions, but they could only reach Mundakkai on Tuesday afternoon as the bridge connecting the village to the outside world was swept away in the furious landslide. Although rescue teams have recovered many bodies, most remain unidentified. The lack of clarity on the number of missing persons from the region further complicates matters for the government. Local residents claim that while the severity of the disaster in Chooralmala is evident, the situation in Mundakkai is even worse.

Following the destruction of the bridge connecting Mundakkai to Chooralmala, approximately 1,000 people from 300 families are now isolated. Many have sought refuge in the hilltops. Authorities have not yet assessed the number of houses destroyed or the number of people missing in the landslide. As the river overflowed due to the torrential flash flood caused by the landslide, Chooralmala could not withstand its fury. Massive deposits of mud and heavy boulders are visible throughout the region.

State and national disaster response forces, three branches of the army, police, fire service, other officials, and locals are all engaged in a desperate search for survivors in the region. Drones and dog squads from the army and police are involved in the rescue operation. Efforts have begun to establish a temporary bridge at Mundakkai so that rescue teams and officials can access the area."