In the mountainous tourist region of "Wayanad in the southern Indian state of Kerala", a loud noise woke residents early on Tuesday, but many did not know it was to their deaths.
At first, the residents of Mundakai village in Wayanad district did not understand what was causing the noise. But when he looked out most of them had flowed down from a hill above with a great quantity of mud.
The hills that stretch from Meppadi to Mundakai are covered with tea plantations. Scattered among the tea plants are silver oak trees that shoot up into the sky. Small roads intertwine through the estates. Apart from some Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and jeeps, there are not many vehicles plying through these narrow roads.
Most of the roads heading up to hills end at cottages. Each family has three small rooms in these cottages set up for the estate workers. Standing at the courtyards of the cottage, you can see the slanting raindrops descending on to the valley. Sometimes, it's the all-consuming mist that engulfs the hills and its surroundings.The worst calamity the state has seen since the 2018 floods has left a trail of destruction in its wake. That's what happened that day. "Churalmala and Mundakai as Tears of Kerala"
Many people were killed and missing in the massive landslides that occurred that night in "Mundakai and nearby Churalmala". There are 8302 people in 82 relief camps. Death toll in landslide disaster reaches 300 Officials said the death toll could rise further. Unofficial information is that 240 people are missing.
A search has been launched in flood and landslide affected areas. Traffic was snarled as the road collapsed, and after hours the army came down and built a new temporary Bailey bridge. The Army said the Bailey Bridge will remain here until the new bridge is built. More machines arrived to search. 15 earthmoving machines are working in Mundakai, more cutting machines and ambulances are there. Yes, radar checks are underway in all areas for any remaining traces of life.
