Wayanad landslide survivors aggrieved over delayed rehabilitation; UDF launches stir alleging neglect by state, Centre

Thiruvananthapuram: Resentment is brewing among the landslide survivors of Wayanad as the rehabilitation measures still remain on papers even seven months after the major disaster that hit thousands of people.

Even as the state government makes announcements on rehabilitation plans, the survivors allege that nothing is happening on the ground. The unfavourable living conditions of the survivors are also reasons for growing resentment.

The opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front is taking political advantage of the situation by launching a stir criticising the Centre and state governments of showing neglect towards the plights of the landslide survivors.

As per the latest plans of the Kerala government, houses will be constructed for as many as 430 families in the proposed township at Elston Estate in Kalpetta. Each family will be provided seven cents of land and houses with a total area of 1,000 square feet will be constructed at the rate of Rs 20 lakh per house.

"The plans sound fair, though not too satisfactory for the families who lost a large extent of land. But by when will it happen? That is the concern among the people," says C K Noorudeen, a panchayat ward member of Chooralmala.

He said that the government should have taken steps on war footing. By this time the government should have at least allotted the land for the people, which would have brought much relief to them. Many families are living in congested spaces provided by the government temporarily and living conditions are very pitiable. All these are causing much stress on the survivors, he said.

Many families displaced had a large extent of land where they used to carry out cultivation. Around 110 acres of agricultural land was destroyed in the July 30, 2024 landslide. But so far there has been no concrete step taken to provide them with alternative agricultural land. Many who suffered serious injuries in the landslide are also facing much hardships. Financial assistance to many of them are said to be still pending.

It is also learnt that concerns over the delay in rehabilitation by the government was prompting many families to opt for financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh instead of a house worth Rs 20 lakh in seven cents land.