A schoolgirl’s story eerily predicted the catastrophic landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, that resulted in nearly 300 deaths and over 200 injuries. Is it a chilling coincidence, or could it be more?
The Prophetic Story
Written by Laya, a Class 8 student from the Government Vocational Higher Secondary School in Chooramala’s Vellarmala, the story detailed a premonition of disaster. Titled Agrahathinte Duranubhavam (The Misery of Desire), the narrative featured a girl who drowns in a waterfall and returns as a bird to warn two friends of impending doom.
“If it rains, landslides will hit the waterfall, engulfing everything in their path, including human lives,” read the prophetic lines in the story published in her school magazine, Vellaram Kallukal, last year.
A Year Later: Tragedy Strikes
Fast forward a year, and the very town described in Laya’s story, Chooramala, is ravaged by landslides. Her school lies buried under debris, and Laya has tragically lost her father to the devastation.
The landslides struck at 2 am and 4:10 am, wreaking havoc on areas like Meppadi, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala, leaving them isolated as roads were washed away. Rescue efforts are underway, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasizing the urgency of rehabilitation.
The Story’s Plot
In Laya’s tale, two friends, Anaswara and Alamkrita, visit a waterfall without informing their parents. A bird warns them, saying, “Leave now, children. It’s dangerous up ahead.” The girls heed the warning, fleeing just before rainwater cascades down the hill, transforming the bird back into the girl who saved them from her fate.
Leaders React
Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, described the landslides as a “terrible tragedy” and called for an urgent comprehensive action plan. He visited Wayanad to assess the destruction firsthand.
The Question of Premonition
While the story’s alignment with real events is undeniably eerie, it’s essential to approach the narrative with respect and skepticism. Could a schoolgirl’s imagination genuinely predict a natural disaster, or is this a case of life imitating art?
Disclaimer: The events and characters in Laya’s story are fictional, and any resemblance to real-life events is purely coincidental. The story, while striking, should not be construed as a premonition or prediction. In the face of tragedy, the focus remains on rescue, relief, and rebuilding. As Kerala grapples with this disaster, the tale of a schoolgirl’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of life.
