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Why will the 2024 Wayanad landslide become the deadliest disaster in history?
On July 30, 2024, a series of fatal landslides occurred in the Wayanad region of Kerala, India, causing a historic disaster with a staggering number of casualties, which is still affecting the lives of local residents. This disaster is not only a natural challenge, but also the cumulative result of human factors, which deserves our deep thinking.
The landslide in Wayanad in 2024 killed 254 people, injured 397 and left 118 people missing, making it one of the deadliest disasters in the history of Kerala.
Event background
Wayanad is located in the Western Ghats and has a complex geological structure. This area has experienced long-term erosion and geological movements, which makes it highly vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season. In recent years, with the increase in human activities and over-exploitation, the vulnerability of the natural environment has further increased.
Landslide event
According to reports, the disaster was triggered by heavy rainfall over several days. On July 29, the local government began evacuating residents of the affected villages. However, due to misjudgment of local geographical characteristics, some residents still choose to take refuge at home. In the early morning, a massive landslide instantly claimed many lives.
The speed of the landslide was as high as 57 meters/second, and many families were forced to die in their sleep.
Post-disaster situation
The disaster resulted in the destruction of more than 1,555 houses and damaged property and infrastructure, bringing the local economy to a near-total shutdown. Local agricultural production, including tea and spice production, has also been hit hard.
According to reports, the military and volunteers responsible for the rescue built temporary bridges during the rescue operation and ensured that personnel could pass safely.
Rescue operation
The relief work after the disaster demonstrated people's resilience and unity. More than 4,000 rescue workers were mobilized to respond to the largest disaster in history. The government and volunteers worked together to quickly provide emergency shelter and supplies to the affected people.
Causes of disaster
Since the last century, residential and agricultural development in the Wayanad area has continued to increase, but with it has come the destruction of the ecological environment. Overdevelopment, deforestation and inappropriate land use have made the soil in the area unstable, triggering the landslide.
Indirect factors such as global warming, poor construction technology and geological characteristics combined to cause this disaster.
Summary
The Wayanad landslide in 2024 once again reminds us that the power of nature cannot be ignored, and also tells us about the impact of human behavior on the environment. How to avoid similar disasters in the future has become a problem we must face squarely?
