A year after Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslide: How far has rehabilitation come? Mathrubhumi survey finds out

Kalpetta: It has been a year since a sleeping village was buried in a torrential downpour. The 402 families on the government's rehabilitation list have survived. How are they faring? Have the promises been kept? What about their livelihood and health, and are the families satisfied with the rehabilitation efforts? As the first anniversary of the Chooralmala - Mundakkai landslide approaches, Mathrubhumi is once again travelling through those lives.

The 55.2 per cent of the families affected by the Chooralmala landslide expressed satisfaction with the government's intervention. The responses of the disaster victims were revealed in a survey conducted by Mathrubhumi among the beneficiary families ahead of the first anniversary of the disaster.

At the same time, more than 90 per cent of the people said that the rehabilitation process is not progressing as quickly as expected.

The main problem cited for the delay is the slow pace of township construction.

The survey was conducted among 402 families on the beneficiary list, and 222 families expressed satisfaction with the government's rehabilitation activities. The speeding up of temporary rehabilitation and the provision of rent and daily allowances were highly appreciated by 91 families, who said that the overall performance was satisfactory. 77 families are not satisfied. 12 families did not respond to the survey.

The Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide victims are concerned that even the construction of a model house in the township has not been completed, despite a year having passed. Land acquisition also faced delays, but they are demanding that the houses be completed on time. Despite a one-month delay and the need to protest, the families have received their rent on time.

They are receiving their daily allowance and a food coupon of Rs 1,000 on time. However, it was also reported that, despite being eligible, some were excluded from the daily allowance due to holding private jobs. The 154 families who lost their jobs are now dependent on government assistance, including the daily allowance and rent. Almost all the families received support from voluntary organisations during the initial phase. Many families highlighted the financial assistance provided by the Muslim League and Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulama.

The lack of support for traders and building owners, the exclusion of eligible families from the list, shortcomings in medical aid, and the absence of intervention in the recovery of disaster-affected land were also raised by those expressing dissatisfaction.

Survey Method

The survey was conducted from July 12 to 17. It covered the families’ previous living conditions, employment, current circumstances, livelihood, health and financial obligations. Data was collected from one member of each family. For children without parents, their current guardian participated in the survey.