On July 30, 2024, Wayanad district in Kerala was devastated by a catastrophic landslide triggered by torrential rains. Over 570 mm of rainfall within 48 hours caused massive debris flows in villages like Chooralmala and Mundakkai, resulting in widespread destruction. The landslides claimed 231 lives, with approximately 119 people still missing and 630 injured. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority recently confirmed that the Wayanad landslide was the largest in India’s recorded history. Research revealed that the event triggered a debris flow of approximately six million cubic meters — enough to fill 2,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This disaster was five times larger than the Malpa landslide in Uttarakhand in 1998, which had previously held the record for the biggest debris flow in the country. It was also 300 times larger than the 2020 landslide in Pettimudi, near Munnar, Kerala.

Beyond the tragic human toll, more than 1,500 homes and critical infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, were destroyed, with property damage estimated at Rs 1,200 crore. In response, the government swiftly mobilized resources, relocating survivors to relief camps, while efforts to rebuild the region began. However, the devastation made restoring essential services challenging, especially for education. Two schools, Government High School Vellarmala (GVHS) and Government Lower Primary School (GLPS) Mundakkai, were severely damaged, leaving the local community to face the difficult task of resuming education amidst the wreckage.

The important work has been generously supported by SAP. 

Restoring School Facilities with SEEDS' Support

To minimize the disruption to education caused by the disaster, students from the affected schools were moved to Government High School (GHS), Meppadi. However, this sudden increase in the student population put a strain on the already limited space. SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society), an organization with three decades of experience in disaster recovery and resilience, was assigned the task of creating additional learning spaces. The situation was far from straightforward, as both the local 

Panchayat community hall and some classrooms had been used as temporary mortuaries during the disaster, requiring thorough cleaning and transformation before they could be utilized as classrooms again.

Dr. Manu Gupta, co-founder of SEEDS, emphasized the organization's focus on rebuilding educational infrastructure, stating, "The destruction caused by the Wayanad landslide has been profound, resulting in tragic loss of lives and infrastructure. At SEEDS, our priority was to restore normalcy for children whose education was disrupted. By rebuilding schools, we create safe spaces for learning and hope. This effort is vital not just for Wayanad but for communities worldwide facing climate-induced disasters. SEEDS remains committed to helping these regions rebuild stronger and more resilient."

On August 18, a team of engineers and program officers from SEEDS arrived in Kalpetta to assess the work ahead. With less than two weeks until the new school term on September 2, 2024, they faced the challenge of repainting classrooms, cleaning the community hall, and installing partitions to accommodate the additional students. Along with these tasks, they repaired key school facilities like kitchens and handwashing stations while equipping teachers with resources to create a positive and welcoming learning environment. Despite the tight timeline, the SEEDS team, with support from local contractors and authorities, completed the work just one day before the term began, showcasing their unwavering dedication to ensuring a safe and functional space for the students.

A Milestone in Wayanad's Recovery

The reopening of the schools marked a significant milestone in Wayanad's recovery journey. SEEDS' contribution to restoring the educational facilities was recognized by the state's Education Minister, who praised their swift and effective work with a memento of appreciation. The Panchayat President also expressed his gratitude and promised to support future upgrades to the schools, ensuring that the children of Wayanad would continue to have access to quality education. While much work remains to be done in rebuilding Wayanad, the restoration of the schools represents a step forward. It highlights the resilience and determination of the community to rebuild their lives in the wake of disaster. 

As Wayanad moves forward in its long journey of recovery, the work of organizations like SEEDS will continue to be vital. Their efforts in rebuilding what was lost and restoring the community's spirit serve as a reminder that, even in the face of tragedy, there is always hope for renewal.