Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
A year after the devastating landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad, the feelings of loss and sorrow still linger. On Wednesday, July 30, many survivors visited the site where their loved ones were buried, recalled their memories, and placed flowers on the graves. It was in the early hours of July 30, 2024, that landslides struck the Meppadi panchayat’s Chooralmala and Mundakai areas. As per official numbers, the landslide claimed 298 lives and destroyed hundreds of houses and schools.
A year after the tragedy, the survivors are still struggling to cope. The government is reportedly yet to finish construction of even a single house for the survivors. Several of them currently reside in rented homes across the district, with the government and other organisations providing the rent and food kits to support them.
Many survivors alleged that their names were excluded from the rehabilitation list. “Life is tough now. We are from Punjirimattam in Mundakkai, a landslide-hit area, but we were not on the rehabilitation list. Many people who lived near my house got sanctions for new houses, but ours is still pending. We currently receive rent from the government,” a survivor told the media.
In January this year, the Kerala government announced the construction of two townships for the survivors. The townships are planned on 65.41 acres of the Harrison Malayalam Estate in Nedumbala, Meppadi Grama Panchayat, and 78.73 acres on the Elston Estate in Kalpetta.
However, there is still confusion and unresolved complaints about the rehabilitation lists, with allegations that many survivors were left off the list. Raising these concerns, survivors have conducted many protests in the past six months.
Meanwhile, speaking with the media, Revenue Minister P Rajan said the government will provide more houses and address all concerns of the survivors. “Currently, our list includes 402 houses. We have received over 200 complaints. The Revenue Department conducted a hearing, and the only thing left is a physical examination, which will be conducted in August,” he said.
