Overview

• Heavy rains triggered landslides that destroyed villages in Kerala's Wayanad district, killing over 300 people.
• Local authorities and experts blame unregulated tourism and deforestation for worsening the landslide's impact.
• Warnings about the region's ecological fragility and the risks of overdevelopment were ignored for years.
• Survivors recount harrowing escapes and the loss of entire communities to the torrents of mud and water.
• Calls for stricter regulations and better disaster preparedness are growing in the wake of the tragedy.