Wayanad Landslide Reveals Widespread Vulnerability Across India's Hilly Districts

The recent devastating landslide in Kerala's Wayanad district has brought renewed attention to India's growing landslide risk. The disaster occurred even though the region recorded below-normal rainfall during that week, underscoring that extreme destruction does not always require extreme weather.

Wayanad is far from alone in its vulnerability. According to government estimates, about 4.2 lakh square kilometres — 12.6 per cent of India's geographical area — is prone to landslides. Most incidents occur during the monsoon season, concentrated in the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and the Eastern Ghats.

A 2023 study by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Landslide Atlas of India, analysed the intersection between landslide-prone terrain and human settlements. It ranked Wayanad as the 13th most landslide-exposed district in the country. Notably, six of the top 15 most exposed districts are in Kerala: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, and Wayanad itself.

While the Northeastern states experience far more landslides each year, Kerala records higher exposure. The ISRO report attributes this to population density. Large parts of the Northeast are sparsely populated, meaning many landslides occur away from settlements. In contrast, the Western Ghats, especially in Kerala, have dense populations, closely packed houses, and extensive infrastructure spread across hilly terrain. As a result, even a single landslide can cause disproportionate damage.

“The vulnerability of the inhabitants and households is more significant in the Western Ghats due to the very high population and household density, especially in Kerala, even when fewer landslides exist than in the Himalayan regions,” the report notes.

Apart from Wayanad, Rudraprayag and Garhwal in Uttarakhand, followed by Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, are among India's most landslide-exposed districts. The tragedy in Wayanad serves as a stark reminder that disaster preparedness must account for both natural hazards and human exposure.