In Wayanad, India, Deva Das and his family experienced a horrifying ordeal when they were forced to flee their village due to landslides. The 40-year-old agricultural laborer and his loved ones sought refuge on higher ground after their village was devastated, leaving behind nothing but destruction.
The landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district have claimed the lives of at least 201 people, prompting widespread rescue efforts and a search for the missing. The catastrophic event buried homes, uprooted trees, and washed away roads and bridges, leaving many families in a state of despair as they frantically search for their missing relatives.
Rescue workers have been navigating treacherous conditions to locate and identify bodies, with nearly 200 individuals still unaccounted for. The death toll is expected to rise as recovery operations continue in the region known for its picturesque hillsides and tea plantations.
The tragedy in Wayanad serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to heavy rains, flooding, and landslides, exacerbated by a recent construction boom. Many of the victims were migrant workers residing in settlements near the hillside estates, with some villages completely engulfed by the landslides.
Survivors like Rakeeba, a tea estate worker, recount the harrowing moments when the landslides struck, forcing them to flee for their lives. The devastation witnessed by residents has left many grappling with uncertainty about the future, as they mourn the loss of their homes and communities.
As Kerala grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, the resilience of its people shines through in the face of unimaginable loss and devastation. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but communities are banding together to support one another in this time of crisis.
