Kerala witnesses increase in 'dark tourism' amidst Wayanad landslides
What's the story
Kerala, often referred to as "God's Own Country," is currently grappling with one of the most devastating natural disasters in its recent history. Massive landslides have taken the lives of over 250 people, bringing the region's fragile ecology into focus. Amidst this catastrophe, an unusual trend known as "dark tourism" is emerging.
About
What is dark tourism?
Dark tourism, a growing phenomenon involves visiting sites associated with death, suffering, tragedy, violence, or the unusual. This can include cemeteries, mausoleums, disaster zones, battlefields, memorials, prisons, execution sites, and crime scenes. Popular destinations for dark tourism include the Chernobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine, the Killing Fields in Cambodia, Auschwitz in Poland, and the 9/11 Memorial in the US, as well as haunted houses and locations of infamous historical events
Tourist influx
Increase in dark tourism in crisis-stricken Wayanad
Dark tourism, a phenomenon that has its roots in World War II, attracts visitors to sites associated with human tragedy. Notable examples include Auschwitz and The Residency in Lucknow. Despite the grim associations, Wayanad has experienced a steady influx of such tourists amidst its ongoing crisis. This trend has escalated to such an extent that local police felt the need to issue a warning on social media against visiting the landslide-affected region.
Public warning
Police appeal to tourists to steer clear of landslide-affected areas
The state police have appealed to the public to refrain from visiting the disaster-stricken areas, as it could potentially disrupt ongoing rescue operations. The warning issued by the police read "dyvaayi kaalllck kaannaa durnt prdeeshngngllileekk pookrut a th rakssshapravrttanatte badhikkum" which translates to "Please do not go to disaster areas to see the sights. It will hinder rescue operations."
Ongoing operations
Rescue operations continue amidst extensive damage in Wayanad
Rescue efforts are still in progress in Wayanad, where two landslides on July 30 caused substantial damage. A recent satellite image showed that approximately 86,000 square meters of land along the banks of the Iruvaiphuzha river had been displaced by the landslides. According to a report by NDTV, these two landslides were five times the size of Rashtrapati Bhawan.