God's Own Country in Crisis: Wayanad Floods Devastate Kerala
A deadly disaster in Wayanad District, Kerala, took more than 100 lives and more than 128 people injured.

The peacefulness of one night turned into a disaster of unimaginable scale. At the crack of Tuesday dawn, when families were still asleep, a succession of deadly landslides came crashing down from the hills and brought chaos and tragedy to this serene corner of India.
Wayanad, one of the districts much known for its heart-stealing landscapes and richness in culture, is undergoing a crisis unlike anything remembered in history. More than 100 people died in the landslides, leaving 128 others injured and many still missing. Massive destruction was reported in places like Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala, and Kunhome. Houses were buried, and roads vanished; a bridge collapse, very vital in this context, hampered rescue operations further.
More than 3,000 residents have since been evacuated to relief camps, where they find temporary shelter and support.
Despite loss and uncertainty, stories are filtering through about community members who, despite the devastation, reached out to help each other—giving a picture of a community united in its grief and determination.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the news conference that the situation was very serious and whole regions have been swept away by the landslides. The tragedy flowed beyond Wayanad, as 16 bodies were picked up from the Chaliyar River in the neighboring Malappuram district. A river carrying filth and dismembered body parts is a grim pointer to the far-reaching impact of this disaster.
Immediately after the tragedy, the government pressed into service a massive rescue and relief operation. Over 200 army personnel were pressed into service to help in the operations, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured all support to the state's efforts. He announced compensation of 200,000 rupees for the families who lost their lives and 50,000 rupees for the people who were injured.
It is incredible how much strength and courage have been conjured up within the community in the face of such a disaster. The road to recovery is long and grueling, but with the strength and unity exhibited by Wayanad's people, there is hope.
As Wayanad begins the process of healing and rebuilding itself, the country stands in solid support of this district.