The Wayanad district in Kerala faced one of the most devastating landslides on July 30, 2024, which struck the elevated areas of Chooralmala, Muthanga, and Mundakkai. The landslide affected nearly 47.37 km² of the Meppadi Gram Panchayat, home to a population of around 37,000 to 40,000 people. The death toll has risen to over 400, with more than 150 people still missing. Official records cite 225 confirmed deaths, while nearly 195 body parts have been retrieved, and 138 people remain unaccounted for. However, estimates suggest that the real toll may be closer to 550 to 600, as bodies remain buried under the debris.

Mundakkai, the worst-hit ward, was almost entirely destroyed, leading to the displacement of both local Kerala laborers and migrants. The landslide obliterated six of the 14 labor quarters of the H&ML Harrisons Malayalam Limited tea plantation, the biggest in Kerala, and drowned the Government Lower Primary School. In Chooralmala, considerable destruction occurred, with 75 shops completely destroyed and 47 student deaths reported at the Government Vocational Higher School. Although Attomala experienced fewer human casualties, timely warnings allowed residents to evacuate in time.

In the wake of this catastrophic event, search and rescue operations were immediately launched under the leadership of the Indian Army and disaster management forces, supported by NGOs like the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Kerala (JIH-K). The Ideal Relief Wing (IRW), Welfare Party of India (WPI), and Peoples Foundation were among the first responders, mobilizing volunteers and providing crucial assistance. IRW, founded by K. A. Siddique Hassan, quickly deployed 70-100 volunteers who assisted in rescue efforts, including the sensitive mortuary and post-mortem processes. The WPI and Peoples Foundation operated relief activities through their offices, coordinating volunteer efforts, and distributing vital supplies.

Within the first 12 hours of the disaster, JIH distributed more than 500 emergency kits and provided food and clean water to 1,300 families. They also supplied 50 freezers to the state government to store bodies, preventing decomposition during ongoing rescue operations. As survivors were relocated to government camps, over 500 camp kits were distributed, including items for newborns and mothers. Weeks later, as rehabilitation efforts commenced, the Peoples Foundation played a significant role in relocating survivors to rental homes, providing more than 1,300 ration kits, and assisting in securing new accommodations.

The psychological impact of the landslide has been profound, with survivors struggling to cope with the trauma. Kerala JIH has mobilized the Ethical Medical Forum and the Student Medical Group to provide psychological support and counseling to those affected. The ever-busy hamlet of Mundakkai, once known for its cardamom farms, is now unrecognizable, with its topography completely altered. Dr. Nishad VM, the project director of Peoples Foundation, emphasized the need for urgent mitigation measures, such as relocating people from landslide-prone areas, restricting certain land uses, and installing early warning systems based on ground condition monitoring.

The Wayanad landslide highlights the delicate balance between human habitation and nature in an ecologically sensitive area. While the immediate relief response was commendable, long-term efforts must focus on rehabilitation and implementing stringent measures to prevent future disasters. The resilience and dedication of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Kerala, IRW, and the Peoples Foundation offer hope, but the road to recovery for the affected communities remains long.