A 24-year-old woman, identified as Nishma, tragically lost her life when the tent she was staying in collapsed during heavy rain at a resort in Meppadi&rsquo;s 900 Kandi area, Wayanad district. Two others sustained injuries in the incident.
The victim was part of a 16-member group from Nilambur in Malappuram district who had arrived at the remote hilltop resort on Wednesday evening. Accessible only by four-wheel drive, the resort is situated near forested areas and features temporary structures made from traditional materials such as wood and thatched roofs made of leaves.
Heavy rainfall on Wednesday night caused one of the tents to give way, leading to the fatal accident.
Local revenue officials and police launched an investigation on Thursday to determine whether the resort had the necessary clearances and safety measures in place. The resort management claimed they held all required licenses and attributed the incident to the intensity of the rainfall.
With Wayanad's cool climate and the vacation season drawing to a close, the district is currently experiencing a surge in tourist arrivals. The region, which borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, is a popular tourist hub with a growing number of resorts and homestays catering to visitors. On weekends, locals often convert private spaces into tourist accommodations due to high demand.
This incident comes amid broader concerns about safety in the region, which experienced a series of devastating landslides in 2024 caused by relentless monsoon rains. Those disasters resulted in hundreds of casualties and highlighted the environmental vulnerabilities of Wayanad&rsquo;s hilly terrain.
An investigation into the resort's compliance and the exact cause of the tent collapse remains ongoing.

Heavy rainfall triggers fatal tent collapse at hilltop eco-resort; probe launched into resort’s safety compliance

24-Year-Old Tourist Dies as Tent Collapses in Rain-Hit Wayanad Resort

Heavy rainfall triggers fatal tent collapse at hilltop eco-resort; probe launched into resort’s safety compliance

May 15, 2025 | 16:34 IST