What makes the Wayanad landslides of 2024 an incredible story of human kindness, compassion, and camaraderie is the presence of hundreds of volunteers—commoners who poured in from across the State to take part in rescue and relief work. The efforts of this “army” of civilians have impressed even soldiers, police, and government officials. “They are incredible,” said an Army officer watching a group of volunteers distributing food to media persons.
“They have given us such great support, something I have not before seen in similar situations. They risked everything for people they never knew existed before July 30.” Azeez Kallumpuram, a Gulf returnee in his late forties, is one such volunteer and has been cleaning up corpses for the inquest process.
On August 6, when Frontline visited the Meppadi panchayat office where the inquest work on the deceased takes place, the building and the adjoining health centre had seen an influx of dead bodies. Most were identified and swiftly handed over to relatives after post-mortem examinations. Even though the place was not crowded on Day 7 of the catastrophe, the environment exuded unbearable sorrow and devastation.
Civil Defence volunteers taking a quick break near the ravaged Chooralmala on August 7, 2024.| Photo Credit:Jinoy Jose P. From a distance, the panchayat premises appear to be set up for communal dining or a gathering.
In the foreground, several long wooden tables with benches are arranged in rows. The tables look .