A perfect storm: On the Wayanad debris slip

A recent debris slide in Wayanad, Kerala, near an under-construction tunnel, resulted in six deaths, highlighting the region's ecological fragility and susceptibility to climate-induced disasters. The incident, occurring in the vicinity of areas previously devastated by landslides, has led to the suspension of construction work and a probe into compliance with environmental clearance conditions set by the MoEFCC's Expert Appraisal Committee. Environmentalists had opposed the project, but the Supreme Court had earlier upheld its 'national importance'. The article points to a mix of heavy rainfall, fragile ecology, and alleged failures in debris management and disaster preparedness as contributing factors, urging a review of the project's social and environmental costs.