Kerala woman lost 9 family members in Wayanad landslide, fiancé in road accident; finds new beginning, marries govt employee at Guruvayur temple

S Shruthi, who lost nine members of her family, including her parents and sister, in the devastating 2024 Wayanad landslide and later lost her fiancé in a road accident, married Sandeep at Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple in Kerala on Saturday, November 7, according to PTI.

The wedding took place in the early morning hours in the presence of Shruthi's surviving relatives, friends and public representatives. Sandeep, a native of Mananthavady, is also a government employee and works at the Wayanad Collectorate. Shruthi is employed as a clerk in the state's Revenue Department.

Speaking to reporters after the wedding, Shruthi said she was happy about the occasion and thanked everyone who had supported her through difficult times.


"He came forward to accept me after knowing everything about my life. I pray that we live a happy life together," she said.

The wedding marks a new chapter for Shruthi, whose life was affected by two major tragedies within a relatively short period. She lost most of her family and her house in the Wayanad landslide in July 2024. While she was still dealing with that loss, her fiancé Jenson died in a road accident in which Shruthi was also injured.

Shruthi lost nine family members in the 2024 Wayanad landslide

Shruthi was among those whose lives were devastated by the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide in Wayanad in July 2024.

The disaster claimed nine members of her family, including her parents and sister. Her house was also destroyed in the landslide, leaving her without the family members she had grown up with and the home she had known.

The Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide was one of the worst disasters in Kerala in recent years. Shruthi's personal loss drew considerable public attention as she tried to rebuild her life after losing so many close relatives in the disaster.

Her circumstances also became part of the wider rehabilitation efforts undertaken after the landslide.

Her fiancé Jenson died in a road accident

While Shruthi was still coming to terms with the loss of her family, another tragedy followed.

Her fiancé Jenson died in a road accident. Shruthi was also injured in the accident.

The death came after she had already lost nine members of her family in the landslide. Jenson's death meant she had to deal with another personal loss while recovering from the earlier disaster.

Her story received widespread attention in Kerala because of the successive tragedies she had faced.

Kerala government appointed her as a Revenue Department clerk

Following the hardships Shruthi faced after the landslide and the loss of her family, the Kerala government appointed her as a clerk in the Revenue Department.

The appointment gave her a government job as she worked towards rebuilding her life after the disaster.

Her now-husband Sandeep is also employed in government service. He is a native of Mananthavady and works at the Wayanad Collectorate.

The couple married at Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple on Saturday morning. Shruthi's surviving relatives and friends attended the ceremony, along with public representatives.

Former Kerala minister K Rajan attends the wedding

CPI MLA and former Kerala minister K Rajan was among those present at the wedding.

Rajan had coordinated rehabilitation efforts following the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide during the previous LDF government. He had also been associated with the efforts to support those affected by the disaster.

Speaking to reporters, Rajan said he was happy to be part of the occasion and recalled the support extended to Shruthi during her difficult period.

"This is a happy moment for everyone. We stood by her during her difficult times. I am happy that I could be part of this crucial moment in her life," he said.

Shruthi also thanked everyone who had supported her and expressed hope for a happy married life with Sandeep.

The wedding at Guruvayur brought together her surviving relatives, friends and those who had stood by her after the Wayanad landslide and the subsequent death of her fiancé.

(With PTI inputs)