During the tsunami, tribes living in the Andaman Islands were not affected as they and their dogs anticipated the disaster by moving to higher ground. Animals seem to have an instinct for sensing natural calamities and thus move to safer areas. Similarly, during the recent Wayanad landslide, the local tribal communities were largely unaffected.

Sixteen people from five tribal families were initially forced to stay in relief camps set up in government schools at Mundakkai and Vellarmala. However, two families had already fled to the wilderness just before the landslide struck. The families staying in the Vellarmala school also escaped the disaster by running away before it happened. In Erattukundu, 33 people did not want to relocate to another camp, but forest officials compelled them to move to a relief camp. As a result, 47 tribal people are currently housed in relief camps