Marked by a series of devastating natural disasters, 2024 has been relentless for south India. While the southern states continue to grapple with the aftermath, their appeals for adequate aid from the Centre have often gone unheard.
Published Dec 31, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 31, 2024 | 12:00 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the landslide affected areas at Kalpetta, Wayanad, in Kerala on 10 August 2024 | Press Information Bureau
The year 2024 has been relentless for the southern states of India, marked by a series of devastating natural calamities that have left a trail of destruction and despair. From unseasonal floods and landslides to cyclones and droughts, these disasters have claimed hundreds of lives, displaced thousands, and crippled agriculture and infrastructure across the region.
While the southern states continue to grapple with the aftermath, their persistent and often unsuccessful appeals for adequate aid from the Centre have underscored the scale of the losses they endure.
Here is a look at the most catastrophic natural disasters that struck South India in 2024.
Wayanad landslide. (X)
The 2024 Wayanad landslides were a catastrophic series of landslides that struck Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in the Meppadi panchayat of Vythiri taluk, Wayanad district, Kerala. The disaster unfolded in the early hours of 30 July 2024, triggered by relentless heavy rain that resulted in hillsides collapsing, burying the areas below.
It was one of the most devastating natural disasters in Kerala’s history, claiming 298 lives, with 44 persons still unaccounted for. Of the 170 bodies recovered and handed over to families, DNA testing was used to identify 84 victims out of 128 initially reported missing.
The landslides inflicted extensive damage, destroying over 1,555 homes and several critical structures, including schools, a dispensary, a panchayat office, an electricity board office, and 136 community buildings. Additionally, 290 shops, 124 kilometres of electrical infrastructure, two transformers, 1.5 kilometres of rural roads, and three bridges sustained severe damage. The event also devastated nearly 600 hectares of land, including 310 hectares of farmland.
As a precautionary measure following the disaster, authorities ordered the closure of numerous business establishments in Chooralmala and Mundakkai, citing the risk of further landslides. This decision resulted in significant economic losses, with the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi estimating a financial impact of over ₹25 crore on the local business community.
Despite Prime Minister Modi’s visit and assurances, no funds have been allocated for rehabilitation efforts, leaving the people of Wayanad frustrated with the federal government’s commitment. Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi has also raised the demand for financial aid in Parliament, but no action has been taken so far. Many families continue to live in rented homes, awaiting relief and support.
In the face of its worst drought in four decades, Kerala endured significant setbacks during April and May 2024, with catastrophic effects on the agricultural sector, particularly cardamom farming. Heatwaves in February, March, and April severely impacted 16,621 hectares of cardamom plantations, reducing pod size and threatening market prices. The drought extended its grip to other crops, including paddy, pepper, and bananas, while the dairy industry faced a decline in milk production.
Cardamom crop damaged because of the heat
The crisis affected 22,311 cardamom farmers, with only 20% of plantations managing to survive. Farmers across 46,587 hectares of agricultural land experienced crop failures, resulting in devastating losses for 56,947 farming households. Beyond the agricultural sector, secondary industries such as dairy and fisheries also suffered, with additional losses estimated at ₹250 crore. Overall, Kerala reported a staggering ₹260 crore in damages due to the drought.
The state government pledged financial aid to affected farmers. However, by October 2024, many farmers had yet to receive compensation. Since the Union government’s criteria for drought relief excluded heatwave-induced damages, the state invited applications specifically under the heatwave category to extend some measure of support. Despite these efforts, delays in disbursing financial assistance have left many farmers struggling to recover from the disaster.
The flood situation in North Chennai. (dilipsrinivasan/X)
Tamil Nadu faced severe monsoon rains in August, triggering floods across Chennai, Cuddalore, and Nagapattinam. Over 30 lives were lost, thousands more were displaced, and critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, was submerged. Chennai’s metro services suffered disruptions, and economic losses from the floods, primarily due to agricultural damage, were estimated at ₹5,000 crore. Relief camps and rescue efforts were launched, but recovery has been slow, with prolonged waterlogging and power outages.
In November, Cyclone Fengal struck the Tamil Nadu coast, battering Mahabalipuram, Chennai, and Karaikal with 90 km/h winds. Over 50,000 people were moved to relief camps, while flights and trains were suspended. The cyclone caused widespread destruction of crops like rice, sugarcane, and coconut, further deepening agricultural woes. The government undertook debris-clearing, power restoration, and financial relief efforts, but the long-term impacts on agriculture and infrastructure remain profound.
(L) Food being served at relief camps, (R) water-logged roads in the city
While some regions battled floods and cyclones, southern and western Tamil Nadu experienced drought-like conditions due to uneven rainfall. Severe water shortages impacted drinking water supplies and agriculture, underlining the urgent need for improved water management and infrastructure planning.
The compounded disasters in 2024 caused an estimated economic loss of over ₹10,000 crore. Agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and hospitality were the worst hit. Farmers faced extensive crop destruction, damaged transport systems delayed recovery, and coastal tourism hubs like Mahabalipuram saw a sharp decline in visitors, affecting livelihoods.
The government’s response included setting up relief camps, distributing food, providing medical aid, and offering financial support to affected farmers and small businesses. Plans to rebuild critical infrastructure and improve disaster preparedness, such as enhanced early warning systems, were also announced.
Flooding in Shivamogga, Karnataka. (Screengrab)
This year, Karnataka received 20% more rainfall than expected, causing widespread damage across the state. During the pre-monsoon period, the rainfall recorded was 151 mm against the expected 115 mm.
The monsoon brought 928 mm of rain instead of the anticipated 852 mm, while the post-monsoon period saw 213 mm against an expected 173 mm. This excessive rainfall severely impacted agriculture, damaging 1,59,718 hectares of crops during the monsoon, for which ₹94.94 crore was disbursed as relief. In the post-monsoon period, another 1,45,254 hectares were affected, with ₹112.17 crore sanctioned.
While some farmers have received compensation, others are still awaiting it. The heavy rainfall also claimed 133 lives due to floods, drowning, and lightning.
Families of the deceased were provided ₹5 lakh each as compensation, amounting to ₹6.64 crore in total. The state also reported the death of 714 livestock, for which ₹1.20 crore was allocated as relief. In addition, 20,893 houses sustained minor or partial damage, while 3,200 houses were completely destroyed, prompting the government to allocate ₹82.20 crore for housing compensation.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visiting the flood affected areas in Vijayawada. (X)
Despite being impacted by severe flooding since 31 August 2024, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana managed to contain the scale of devastation compared to other southern states. Both states experienced heavy rainfall and rising river levels, causing significant disruptions, but coordinated efforts by disaster management teams helped mitigate the crisis, demonstrating the states’ preparedness in dealing with natural calamities.
In Andhra Pradesh, districts such as NTR, Krishna, Guntur, and Bapatla were affected by continuous rains, with rivers and reservoirs overflowing. Vijayawada, in particular, faced unprecedented rainfall, recording over 29 cm in a single day—the highest in three decades—leading to the worst flooding along the Krishna River. With inflows from Budameru rivulet exceeding its capacity by five times, floodwaters inundated 411 villages and left 0.70 TMCFT of stagnant water in Vijayawada as of September 8. Electricity infrastructure was also severely impacted, with nearly 37% of feeders requiring urgent repairs.
Telangana districts such as Khammam, Warangal, and Mahbubnagar experienced similar challenges, with relentless rainfall and widespread flooding cutting off essential services in many villages. Large-scale evacuations were carried out to ensure safety. The floods claimed 35 lives and affected over 450,000 people.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
