Compassion Amid Calamity
In the predawn hours of July 30, 2024, the serene landscapes of Wayanad, Kerala, were forever altered. Three catastrophic landslides swept through the region, leaving a trail of death and destruction.
In the 48 hours leading up to the devastation, the Western Ghats in Kerala saw over 500 mm of rainfall, triggering three consecutive landslides. Hillsides collapsed, boulders came crashing down and two villages vanished – wiped away by slurry of rock, soil, and water.
The villages of Mundakkai, Punjirimattom, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala in Meppadi panchayat bore the brunt of nature’s fury.
The aftermath painted a grim picture: lives lost, entire families wiped out, hundreds injured… Homes, shops and schools were destroyed. Approximately 400 families found themselves stranded in Mundakkai and Attamala, cut off from the outside world by the collapse of the sole connecting bridge. The scale of the tragedy was compounded by its unexpected nature – many residents had chosen to remain in their homes, unaware that their area, previously not classified as landslide-prone, would become ground zero for this catastrophe.
In response to this crisis, a coalition of government agencies, armed forces, and volunteer organizations mobilized swiftly. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire and rescue services, and forest authorities worked tirelessly alongside what the Frontline magazine called “…a compassionate ‘army’ of civilian volunteers.”
This ‘compassionate army’ included Lions of District 318E.
Eighteen local clubs sprang into action, working in harmony with government agencies and other organizations. Their efforts were diverse and crucial – from assisting with post-mortems and clearing roads to providing essential supplies and counseling services in relief camps. Lions also provided food and accommodation to the rescue team members from outside Wayanad. Lion doctors conducted medical camps. A collection centre was set up at Sulthan Bathery to store food and relief material donated by various Lions Clubs and transport them to the camps.
The Lions’ response extended beyond immediate relief.
As Wayanad begins its long journey towards recovery, the landslides serve as a somber reminder of our vulnerability to natural disasters and the critical importance of disaster preparedness. While Kerala works to heal and rebuild, the lessons learned from this tragedy will undoubtedly shape future policies and practices, hopefully preventing such devastation in the years to come.
Read more about how Lions make a difference during natural disasters in our next issue.