Wayanad: Kerala’s Wayanad district is reeling from catastrophic landslides that struck several high-range villages on Tuesday, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. Known for their scenic beauty, places like Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha now bear the scars of nature's fury.

The landslides, triggered by incessant rains, have transformed tranquil hamlets into scenes of chaos. Homes lie in ruins, with broken branches and uprooted trees strewn across the landscape. Vehicles swept away by floodwaters are lodged among trees or submerged in debris, emphasising the magnitude of the disaster.

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The overflowing of local water bodies has further worsened the situation, altering their courses and inundating inhabited areas. Rescue operations are challenged by massive boulders blocking access routes, impeding efforts to reach those in need.

Despite challenging conditions, rescue teams are tirelessly evacuating the injured and retrieving the deceased, their efforts intensified by relentless rainfall. The once-green patches of these villages now resemble desolate expanses, stripped bare by the landslides. Authorities have confirmed a heartbreaking toll: 36 lives lost.

Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha remain cut off from the outside world, isolated by the landslides that have severed vital transportation links. As relief efforts continue amidst the ongoing downpour, the communities of Wayanad strive to recover and rebuild from this natural disaster.

Agencies