India, March 16 -- Tucked away in the northern reaches of Kerala, Calicut (Kozhikode) and Wayanad are two of the state's most mesmerising yet lesser-explored destinations, writes Gyaneshwar Dayal

North Kerala, often overshadowed by the world-famous backwaters of the down south, is just as breathtaking yet remains one of the region's lesser-explored gems. Among its treasures is Wayanad, a picturesque town that tragically made headlines last year when devastating flash floods and mudslides claimed over 400 lives in three remote villages.

Nature's fury spared no one, forcing countless families to abandon their homes and businesses, leaving the local tourism industry in turmoil. Yet, amidst the heartbreak, a silver lining emerged -Wayanad b...