India - August 02, 2024

Storyline:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The death toll from the massive landslides in Wayanad District in southern India's state of Kerala has exceeded 350, according to the latest information released by the state government, as the body identification process remains in progress and survivors of the disaster wonder what lies ahead with their homes and livelihoods gone.

Within a span of two hours, three rain-induced massive landslides hit the Meppadi area of Wayanad District early on Tuesday morning when people were still asleep. The tragedy was described as one of the most awful in recent times in the state.

Local villagers in Meppadi are anxiously waiting for news about their missing friends and relatives. Of the 122 bodies brought to a government hospital in the area, 15 remained unidentified till Friday morning.

Unnikrishnan's brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece are all untraceable, and their home, located in one of the worst-affected villages, was flattened. With the bodies of their neighbors already found and identified, Unnikrishnan is praying for a miracle.

The leader of the village council says locating the missing is a challenge due to the damaged roads and the mountainous terrain.

Although aid is arriving aplenty at the relief camps set up across the affected areas, the shock of losing everything instantaneously is still lingering in the mind of those being displaced.

Fatuma Bi lost her home, government documents and all her worldly belongings. And with the auto rickshaw that her son used to drive being crushed by the landslide, there's no way to earn an income for her family any more.

Volunteer organizations are arranging for psychologists to help survivors cope with the trauma of the disaster and the anxiety of not knowing what's next.

Rebuilding life from scratch is going to be long and painful, because many of the affected residents don't want to go back to their homes in the landslide-prone areas. Local governments need to provide more support to restore people's confidence for the future.

Shotlist:
Wayanad District, Kerala State, India - Aug 2, 2024:
1. Joss sticks burnt to cover smell of dead bodies
2. Various of bodies from landslides being identified at government hospital, medical staff, villagers;
3. Various of local villager Unnikrishnan showing photo of his relatives;
4. Bags of supplies carried to relief camp;
5. Various of relocated residents at relief camp;
6. SOUNDBITE (Malyalam, dubbed in English) Fatuma Bi, landslide survivor:
"We are alive, but I don't know how we'll overcome this situation. We've lost our money, our home. We've lost everything. I'm very worried. What will our future look like."
7. Notices on wall;
8. Various of relocated residents at relief camp;
Wayanad District, Kerala State, India - Aug 1, 2024:
9. Various of debris, boulders, destroyed houses, toppled trees;
10. Various of rescuers, floodwater;
11. Mud on road.

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