Wayanad township project: Landslide victim flags crack in allotted house

Kalpetta (Wayanad, Kerala): A beneficiary of the Kerala government’s township project for landslide survivors has expressed distress after a crack developed in his allotted house in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala rehabilitation colony.

The issue was found on the terrace of house number 8 in Cluster ‘A’ of Zone 1. The house had been allotted to K.T. Naufal, a native of Punchirimattam.

Following the discovery, Naufal informed officials of the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), which is executing the construction of the rehabilitation township. The crack on the terrace is also visible on the ceiling of the dining hall inside the house.

Naufal has raised concern that the defect may lead to leakage during the monsoon. A door in one of the bedrooms inside the house has also been damaged.

Personal loss and rehabilitation struggle

Naufal had lost 16 family members, including his siblings, in the landslide. He had earlier worked in the Gulf and also lost the house he built at Punchirimattam in the same disaster.

He said he is barely able to stay in the newly allotted township house and is now distressed over the crack that has appeared.

At present, Naufal and his family are staying in temporary rehabilitation at Rippon 52 in Meppadi. He earns a living by driving an autorickshaw.

Construction agency response and corrective steps

ULCCS Chief Operating Officer Arun Babu said the crack has developed due to concrete shrinkage in intense heat and there is no reason for concern.

He said epoxy pressure grouting was carried out immediately after the issue was noticed. The structure will now be fully waterproofed, followed by a five-centimetre concrete layer.

Investigations are being carried out by ULCCS and KIIFCON (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board Engineering Consultants Private Limited, a subsidiary of KIIFB), including water ponding tests to check for any construction defects.

He said the houses will be handed over only after all tests are completed, and before the monsoon. He also said the door damage occurred during construction and will be repaired.