Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's Finance Minister, KN Balagopal, has been presenting the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with a key focus on the rehabilitation of Wayanad. A major announcement was the allocation of Rs 750 crore for the recovery efforts following the devastating landslides of 2024. This funding will help rebuild the affected areas and support the restoration of livelihoods for local communities.

In his address, Balagopal also acknowledged that Kerala has successfully overcome its financial crisis, thanks to effective streamlining measures.

Wayanad landslides

The 2024 Wayanad landslides, which struck in the early hours of 30 July, caused widespread devastation in several villages, including Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk. Triggered by heavy rainfall, the landslides led to the collapse of hillsides, resulting in one of Kerala’s deadliest disasters. The tragic event claimed more than 250 lives, left about 400 people injured, and more than 100 people were reported missing.

Experts have pointed to factors such as deforestation, seismic sensitivity, poor building construction, and global warming as potential causes for the landslides and the severe loss of life.