WAYANAD: On Wednesday the mood in and around Meppadi taluk in the hilly district of Wayanad was somber, as last year around this time four villages were washed away, leaving 298 dead and over 40 missing.
In the morning, an all religion prayer meeting was held in the Meppadi village council and numerous religious leaders and locals took part in it.
Prayers were held at the common grave site in the locality where many who lost their lives in the natural disaster have been interned.
The Kerala Police gave a guard of honour to the departed souls on the first anniversary of the tragedy.
A whopping 145 homes were fully destroyed; 170 houses were partially destroyed, while 240 homes have been declared uninhabitable and 183 homes were washed away in the landslides.
Wayanad Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi took to social media and posted a heartfelt note to the people of her constituency.
“Today marks a painful anniversary — the Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslide, a tragedy that still echoes in our hearts. Though I may be away on parliamentary duty, my heart is right there with you. As we remember those we lost, may their memories bring peace, and may your faith guide you forward. I stand with you, not just today, but always, " Priyanka Gandhi wrote.