Wayanad’s mudslide leaves villages devastated and reconstruction stalled

In Kerala’s Wayanad district, a sudden mudslide during the monsoon season buried a road and bridge under a massive mound of sand, mud and wreckage, after excavations for a tunnel destabilized the slope. Surveillance footage showed a white bus and a brown truck being pushed aside as seven construction workers were engulfed. The event followed an extreme rainfall of 570 mm in 48 hours, leading to numerous casualties and widespread displacement.

Emergency services, including the army and volunteers, provided helicopter evacuations and erected temporary bridges. The state pledged over 100 million euros for reconstruction, yet residents cite a lack of decisive follow-up and transparency. Nurse Anisha Shariff recounted the arduous task of cleaning mud-covered victims and highlighted the scarcity of medical staff after many left the area. Rebuilding efforts have been uneven, with some communities receiving new homes while others await assistance.