Survivors of the landslide visited the calamity ravaged spots.
Credit: X
Thiruvananthapuram: The air was thick with emotions and despair at Mundakkai-Chooralmala regions of Wayanad on Wednesday with survivors of the devastating landslide visiting the calamity ravaged spots and offering prayers to their dear and near ones who were killed in the natural calamity on this day last year.
Most of them were in tears on paying floral tributes to their deceased family members who were buried at a common burial ground.
Many also visited the spots where their houses once lived and turned emotional on seeing the remains of their houses.
Teachers of the nearby Vellarimala school hit by the landslide offered prayers for the students who were killed in the landslide. As many as 53 students of the nearby schools were killed in the landslide, the bodies of many could not be recovered.
The Meppadi grama panchayat organised a commemoration meeting.
While most survivors were upset that the government's promise to provide alternative housing were still in the initial stages, those who lost their livelihood ranging from farming to shops lamented that they were yet to get any relief.
The only ray of hope for the people was a model house that is nearing completion at the township for the survivors at Elston estate in Kalpetta.
While 402 families were already included in the beneficiary list for houses at the township, on Wednesday the government decided to provide houses for as many as 49 more families who were staying close to the calamity hit spot. Many who lost homes had opted for the compensation of Rs. 15 lakh instead of houses at the township.
Revenue minister K Rajan said that since the initial hurdles were over and the construction began, the government plans to start distribution of houses from December.
Two bedroom houses in seven cents of land are being constructed. Quality of the construction is being given due priority, the minister said after visiting the model houses.
The state government is coming under criticism for the delay in the rehabilitation of the families who are now staying in congested temporary facilities provided by the government. Even as Rs. 773.4 crore was received by the Chief Minister's distress relief fund in connection with the landslide, so far only Rs. 92 crore is spent from it.