Wayanad tragedy: Over 380 buildings come up every year

Construction activities, particularly in the tourism sector, surged in Meppadi panchayat, a high landslide-prone area, with over 380 buildings registered annually. Illegal resorts are increasing, posing threats to authorities and wildlife. In 2021-22, Kalpetta block saw 3,662 new buildings, part of over 12,000 yearly in Wayanad, with significant deforestation since the 1950s.