Kozhikode: Near the Nadinagar bridge at Kothi stands a small dwelling on a patch of mud. It can hardly be called a house. The structure is a shed built with wooden planks in a canal at the estuary of the Kallayi River. Swaying even in a mild breeze and appearing vulnerable to collapse at any moment, it shelters a family of 11, ranging from a one-and-a-half-month-old baby to her 60-year-old grandmother.

C.V. Nabeesa, along with her daughters and grandchildren, has been living in the makeshift house for the past 25 years. Perched on a small earthen mound at the edge of a canal, the structure is in a dilapidated condition, with its ageing roof and weakened flooring posing a constant safety risk. Family members say that during strong winds, the elders often rush outside carrying the children, fearing the house could collapse at any moment.

"This house could collapse at any moment. Whenever the wind gets strong, I take my daughter and the baby outside. Sometimes water cascades. Their father's primary wish was that they could one day live in a safe, secure house. But he passed away before that could happen," Nabeesa said.

It has been four years since Nabeesa lost her husband, Kabeer. She now lives with a large family that includes her three daughters and seven granddaughters. Among them is one-and-a-half-month-old Asmil Nihara, the baby of Nabeesa's granddaughter, Rilshana.

The family's livelihood depends largely on modest incomes, with Nabeesa's son working in the fisheries sector and one of her daughters employed as a cleaning staff member at a private organisation.

The family's hardships intensify during the monsoon season.

"Earlier, during the monsoon season, the family was shifted to a health centre for safety. During that period, the shed was badly damaged. It was later repaired with the help of several well-wishers. Now, snakes frequently enter the house. Just a few days ago, one of the grandchildren was bitten by a snake," she said.

The family had earlier applied to the Corporation for rehabilitation from the poramboke land (government-owned wasteland or unassessed land) where they currently reside. Following the application, a decision was taken in 2022 to allot them 2.5 cents of land in Chamundi Nagar.

However, the family claims it never received the official documents confirming the allotment, leaving the rehabilitation process incomplete.

Land allotment process initiated: Councillor

"C.V. Nabeesa's family had approached the Corporation seeking a solution to their housing problem. Based on their request, the process of allotting land to the family has been initiated. Once the land is allotted, construction of the house can be carried out with the help and assistance of well-wishers," councillor Fasna Shamsudeen said.