Devastation in Wayanad Revealed by ISRO Satellite Images After Landslide.

ISRO satellite images have revealed extensive devastation at the site of the Wayanad landslide, with over 150 fatalities and more than 200 injuries reported as rescue operations continue. The before and after images indicate that an area spanning approximately 86,000 square meters experienced land slippage, resulting in debris flow extending about 8 kilometers along the Iruvaiphuzha river. Furthermore, the imagery also indicates the presence of a historical landslide at the same location, suggesting a preexisting vulnerability that had been documented. The National Remote Sensing Center, Hyderabad, a division of the Indian Space Research Organization, utilized its high-resolution Cartosat-3 optical satellite and the RISAT satellite, which is capable of penetrating cloud cover, to capture these findings.

According to the latest report accessed by NDTV, the landslide was initiated at an altitude of 1550 meters above sea level. This report also highlights the existence of an older landslide at the same site. The 2023 ‘Landslide Atlas of India’, prepared by ISRO, had previously identified the Wayanad region as susceptible to landslides. The extent of the devastation is staggering, with ISRO describing the affected area as nearly five times the size of the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Furthermore, the National Remote Sensing Center’s report describes a significant debris flow triggered by heavy rainfall in the Chooralmala town of Wayanad District in Kerala. This has resulted in widespread damage to infrastructure and homes along the banks of the Iruvaniphuza River. The chairman of ISRO, Dr. S Somanath, emphasized the significance of the organization’s efforts in compiling the “Landslide Atlas of India”, which documents over 80,000 landslides over two decades and identifies areas such as Puthumala in Wayanad district as highly susceptible to landslides. These findings are crucial for disaster management and mitigation efforts.