Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, recently commended the “underrated capabilities” of tractors in disaster relief. His praise came in response to the use of both tractors and SUVs in rescue operations during the tragic Wayanad landslides in Kerala, India. Mahindra highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of tractors in a social media post, stating, “Humble tractors don’t grab as much attention as SUVs for the work they both perform during disasters.” He continued, “Hence happy to see this news from the Wayanad floods. Our Team works harder to build products knowing they may be used not just to plough fields but occasionally to save lives.”
The Wayanad landslides, triggered by torrential rainfall on July 30, 2023, claimed over 400 lives and displaced numerous residents. The disaster, one of India’s most devastating natural events this year, severely impacted the Chooralmala, Muthanga, and Mundakkai areas of Kerala’s Wayanad district.
Mahindra’s social media post sparked a wave of positive reactions from users, who acknowledged the importance of tractors in disaster relief. One user commented, “Your tractors and the hard work of your team during the Wayanad floods once again proved that the importance of your products is not limited to ploughing fields but is also extremely important in saving lives during emergencies.” Another user emphasized the potential of tractors in disaster management, stating, “Using those massive tractors for disaster management could be a game-changer. They’re built like tanks and could tackle situations where regular vehicles just don’t function.”
The Kerala cabinet subcommittee, on August 14, announced financial assistance of ₹10,000 to 379 families affected by the landslides. A recent study attributed the intense rainfall, about 10 percent heavier than usual, to human-caused climate change. The World Weather Attribution (WWA) classified the Wayanad landslides as a “once in a 50-year event.”
Mahindra’s recognition of tractors’ vital role in disaster relief underscores the crucial contributions of often overlooked technologies in challenging circumstances. The incident also serves as a stark reminder of the increasing impact of climate change and the need for robust disaster preparedness and response systems.
