The rehabilitation of the Wayanad landslide survivors, who are being housed in 16 camps around Meppadi, is a major challenge for the Kerala government. The government has to provide temporary shelter preferably within Wayanad for a total of 2,225 people from 648 families.
Among these camps, there were only two that did not make use of schools as shelters causing disruption in education. K. Rajan, Revenue Minister explained in a press conference at Kalpetta that rehabilitation would be carried out through three phases. Before they are completely rehabilitated by other means, the government will construct transit homes to accommodate them temporarily.
The first phase hence involve moving the victims either to rented houses or relatives homes. The first phase has been prepared with the assistance of local bodies and this team will be responsible for ensuring that all necessary amenities are provided to the victims.
In addition, there will be a second phase where transit homes system will be applied in rehabilitation process while at other locations it will be Frefab technology used during construction as per identified spots which again means township project is slated for third phases according to minister.
Fifty-two year old Rukkiya cannot imagine leaving her district because she has lived here her entire life. “We won’t return to Mundakkai or Chooralmala, but leaving Wayanad is not an option. Many of us relied on tourism for our livelihoods. What will we do if we leave the district?” she asked.
Similarly, Ganeshan aged 59 from Mundakkai who lost six family members due to this calamity wants peace away from his place of birth. “I’m ready to move anywhere the government proposes. I don’t want to return to that place again after living there my whole life. Now I am scared even looking towards those mountains which once was our support system,” he said.
Accordingly families residing in Attamala and directly impacted Soojippara, Elavayal and other such villages would be sent back to their respective homes Rajan said “we are into temporary shelter Making arrangements for the survivors. We are not looking outside Wayanad at this moment. When those unaffected by the flood return to their dwellings, the number of families will decrease,” said Rajan.
Conversely, residents around Attamala, Soojippara, Elavayal and other badly affected sections insist on complete rehabilitation. “Our area has seen four landslides in the past five years. During monsoons we fear staying in our houses,” explained Blessly from Soojippara.
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Muhammed Riyas announced that the government would provide 23 PWD quarters and rest houses to accommodate displaced persons; apart from that Government Quarters also would be converted for this purpose.
“The government is considering renting out apartments and flats offered by expatriate Malayalis as well as vacant plots in coastal areas to address the immediate need of housing,” Muhammed Riyas Tourism minister told TNIE.
