Wayanad, July 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Two years after the devastating landslide that destroyed the hill settlements of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Kerala’s Wayanad district, survivors on Thursday gathered to honour the victims while reflecting on a gradual journey of recovery and resilience.
The disaster, which struck on July 30, 2024, remains one of Kerala’s deadliest natural calamities. According to official figures, 330 people lost their lives, including 32 individuals who were initially reported missing and were later declared dead. Entire habitations were buried under massive landslides triggered by torrential rain, leaving hundreds homeless and permanently altering the region’s landscape.
On the second anniversary of the tragedy, families assembled at the disaster site and at the government’s rehabilitation township to offer prayers, light candles and pay tribute to those who perished. For many survivors, the emotional scars remain as deep as ever, with memories of the catastrophe resurfacing whenever heavy rains return to the region.
Residents say the sight of dark clouds or prolonged rainfall continues to evoke painful memories of the night when mud, rocks and floodwaters engulfed entire neighbourhoods, forcing desperate attempts to escape.
Despite the lingering grief, signs of renewal have begun to emerge in the rehabilitation township established for displaced families. New homes now stand where lives are slowly being rebuilt, and children once again fill the neighbourhoods with laughter.
Among the stories symbolising hope is that of young Rithu, born after her mother, Sindhu, narrowly escaped the landslide while pregnant. The family’s new home has become a reminder of resilience amid unimaginable loss, reflecting the determination of many families to rebuild their future.
Marking the anniversary, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid homage to the victims and praised the resilience of the district’s people. In a social media post, she said the nation remembers the courage displayed by the survivors and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting their efforts to rebuild their lives while coping with the lasting pain of their losses.
As Wayanad commemorates the second anniversary of the disaster, the district continues to balance remembrance with recovery, demonstrating how communities can rebuild even after suffering one of the state’s most devastating natural tragedies.
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