The devastating Wayanad landslides of July 2024, claiming over 400 lives and causing widespread destruction, were a culmination of natural vulnerabilities and human-induced factors. Situated in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, the region’s steep slopes and heavy rainfall create a conducive environment for landslides. However, rampant deforestation, unchecked construction, and mining exacerbated the situation, converting the area into a hotspot.
