Wayanad's Scenic Beauty Marred by Catastrophic Landslides

Massive landslides triggered by torrential rains devastated Mundakkai junction and Chooralmala Town in Kerala's Wayanad district, once popular tourist spots. The disaster claimed at least 123 lives, injured 186 people, and left several missing. Rescue operations are ongoing, but the thick mud and debris pose significant challenges.

Flattened buildings, mud-filled potholes, and cracked land dotted with huge boulders—these were the scenes at Mundakkai junction and nearby Chooralmala Town in Kerala's Wayanad on Wednesday.

Before the massive landslides devastated parts of the hill district in the early hours of Tuesday, these locations were bustling hubs for residents.

The tiny junction in Mundakkai and the moderate town in Chooralmala were once lined with shops and concrete structures.

Chooralmala, known for its scenic interiors and picturesque waterfalls, was a popular tourist destination. Sites like Soochippara waterfalls, Vellolippara, and Seetha Lake drew numerous visitors.

Now, with mounds of mud and debris everywhere and giant boulders brought down by floodwaters from the hilltop, it's hard to believe that the area was a busy junction and town just a day ago.

People frantically searched for the dead and injured amid the damaged structures and heaps of debris.

Roofs of buildings were flattened, and damaged vehicles were stuck to boulders in various areas.

''We have lost everything... everyone... Nothing is left for us here,'' an elderly man could be heard whispering while searching in Mundakkai.

He had apparently lost his family members and was desperately seeking them.

Many people appeared uncertain as they walked, wondering whether their loved ones were buried beneath the ground they tread on.

''Mundakkai is now wiped out from the map of Wayanad. There is nothing left here but mud and boulders. We can hardly walk due to the thick mud. How can we search for our loved ones buried beneath it?'' another man asked with teary eyes.

Unofficial figures suggest there were around 450-500 houses in Mundakkai, with only 34-49 remaining intact.

Massive landslides triggered by torrential rains struck the picturesque hamlets of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha early Tuesday, killing several people, including women and children.

Various rescue agencies resumed operations early in the morning to locate people suspected to be trapped in the tragedy, which has killed at least 123 people and left 186 injured.

There are fears of rising fatalities due to suspicions that several people may still be trapped under the debris.

Wayanad, a hill district in northern Kerala, is known for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and sparkling waterfalls. Home to about 8,17,000 people (as of the 2011 census), the district includes various cultures, including indigenous tribal communities.