Is It Safe To Go To Wayanad Right Now?

Kerala’s state government is promoting Wayanad as a safe and attractive tourist destination, following recent landslides. Rajeev Sadanandan, Additional Chief Secretary (Health), issued an advisory that traveling to Wayanad should aim for three days (2 nights) and a five-day itinerary. The region offers a safe environment for solo female travelers, as they encountered no issues during their week-long journey.

However, the state has experienced landslides in the monsoon months from June to September, leading to landslides. PM Modi is set to visit Wayanad today to assess the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in the region. Currently, Wayanad is safe, with no rains since August 25th and motorable roads. Traveling from Calicut to Wayanad is safe.

The Department of Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has released a press release stating that most tourist destinations are safe for tourists now, but it is advisable to avoid visiting unless necessary. The landslide that claimed at least 150 lives prompted the Kerala Police to discourage dark tourism.

As of now, Wayanad is generally considered safe for travelers, but safety conditions can vary based on factors such as weather, local events, and weather conditions. Massive landslides hit Kerala’s Wayanad district in the early hours of July 30, killing at least 123 people.

Is it safe to travel to Wayanad from Bangalore?

The Bangalore to Wayanad road is in excellent condition.

Is Wayanad closed on Monday?

Wayanad Edakkal Caves are open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, excluding Mondays and public holidays.

How is the climate in Wayanad now?

On Friday, September 6th, Wayanad will experience extremely humid conditions with an average humidity of 91 and a maximum temperature of 25°C. The wind will be light and blow from the south-west, reaching up to 7 mph at 2 pm. Cloud coverage will range from 73 at 4 am to 100 at 11 pm, with an average of 98. Light fog will be present before dawn. The maximum temperature will be 25°C at noon, with an average humidity of 90 and a maximum temperature of 99 at 11 pm. The wind will be light and blow from the west, with an average speed of 10 km/h.

Is it good time to visit Wayanad now?

Wayanad is best visited between October and February for its misty mountains, aromatic coffee plantations, and cool temperatures, which are covered in a thick fog and have sunny days but wintery evenings.

Is it safe to travel to Wayanad now due to the Nipah virus?

Nipah has not been reported in Wayanad district, with only a few bats positive, as seen in Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts, making it safer than other areas.

Is Wayanad open for tourism?

Wayanad, Kerala, has reopened three of its most popular attractions, Mananthavady Pazhassi Park, Edakkal Caves, and Pancharakolli Priyadarshini, after being closed due to safety concerns from heavy rainfall. Authorities have implemented strict safety measures, limiting visitor numbers and requiring permission from the disaster management committee. While Kuruva Islands and Cheengeri Mountains remain closed, there is optimism that other popular sites, including ecotourism centers and wildlife sanctuaries, will soon be reopened. The Kerala state government is planning to launch a promotional campaign called “Revisit Wayanad” to restore Wayanad’s reputation as a premier tourist destination.

Which part of Wayanad is affected?

The 2024 Wayanad landslides occurred in Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk, Wayanad district, Kerala, India, on 30 July 2024. The landslides were caused by heavy rains, causing hillsides to collapse and destroying the surrounding areas. The disaster was one of the deadliest in Kerala’s history, with over 336 fatalities, 397 injuries, and 78 people missing. Possible causes include deforestation, seismic sensitivity, poor building construction, and global warming.

Government agencies, including the armed forces, National Disaster Response Force, fire and rescue services, forest and wildlife authorities, and volunteers, launched a large-scale rescue mission to search for survivors. Wayanad is at risk of landslides during monsoon seasons due to its location in the Western Ghats mountain range, which is shaped by faulted and eroded mountain edges of the Deccan Plateau. The region emerged along the west coast of India during the late Jurassic to early Cretaceous periods when India separated from the African continent.

The Iruvanjippuzha and Chaliyar rivers, both originating in the Western Ghats, flow westward towards the Arabian Sea due to a steep gradient from east to west. The villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Puthumala, Attamala, Vellithodu, Thrikkaippatta, and Kottatharavayal are highly sensitive to landslides and flash floods, as per Meppadi government disaster mitigation documents prepared in 2020.

Which tourist places are closed in Wayanad?

The closure of major eco-tourism centres in the South Wayanad Forest Division, including Soochippara Water Falls, Chembra Peak Trekking Trail, Kuruva Islands, Meenmutty Waterfalls, Muthanga Jungle Safari, Tholppetti Eco-Tourism Centre, Brahmagiri Trail, Muneeswarankunnu Trekking Trail, and Meenmutti Waterfalls at Korome, has been attributed to the recent incident. The daily collection from Chembra alone is between Rs 80, 000 to Rs 1 lakh, with a dip during extreme summer and peak monsoon. The daily collection from Kuruva Islands is between Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.

Which areas are affected by Wayanad landslides?

Mundakkai, a village in Kerala’s Wayanad district, was hit by three consecutive landslides on July 30, 2024. The landslides were triggered by heavy rains, with the source found at Punjirimattam. The region experienced 572 mm of rainfall in the 48 hours leading up to the landslide. Hillsides collapsed, causing a torrent of mud, water, and boulders to fall. The debris flowed into affected areas below the mountains, which were 5-6 km away from the landslide source.

At least 250 people died in the natural calamity, with unofficial estimates putting the death toll at over 400. Mundakkai was isolated for hours as the bridge connecting the village to nearby Chooralmala was destroyed. The landslide also set off a new, furious river stream, which destroyed everything in its way, including the Vellarmala Government Vocational Higher Secondary School in Chooralmala.

Is travelling to Wayanad safe now?

The tourism sector in Wayanad has been severely impacted by the devastating landslides that destroyed Mundakkai and Chooralmala, affecting the livelihoods of hundreds of people working in the sector. Despite the district administration stating that Wayanad is safe, the image of the area has changed, making it a symbol of death and destruction. National highways and border checkposts have deserted, and tourist inflow has dried up. Hotels and homestays have closed, and autorickshaw drivers’ income has also dropped.

District authorities have opened six major tourism spots, including Pookode Lake and the Karappuzha dam, hoping for a better future. Three wards in the Meppadi panchayat have been hit by the landslides, and tourism centers were temporarily closed as precautionary measures. Currently, Wayanad is safe, with some safe places for tourists to visit, including Pookode Lake, Karlad Lake Heritage Museum, Ambalavayal Town Square, Bathery, and Pazhassi Memorial.

Which villages are affected by Wayanad landslide?

Kerala is implementing a strategy to enhance its resilience against future natural disasters, including climate-linked disasters like the recent Wayanad landslides. The government acknowledges that while these disasters cannot be fully prevented, their impacts can be significantly mitigated. The worst-ever disaster in Kerala’s history occurred on July 30, with landslides causing over 230 fatalities in several villages. The Kerala government plans to enhance preparedness through the scientific use of land and community-based early warning systems.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the state’s preparedness for future disasters. Relief shelters have already been established in 18 coastal local governments across nine coastal districts and seven hill panchayats of Idukki district.