Wayanad: Survivors of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslide received a fresh lease of life on Sunday as the Kerala government handed over new homes to 178 families affected by the disaster.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first phase of the Wayanad Model Township at Elton Estate, marking the end of prolonged displacement for families who had been living in temporary shelters and rented accommodations. Vijayan described the township, equipped with all essential amenities, as a “testament to Kerala's resolve to build back better.”

As part of the first phase, 178 houses were delivered to families whose homes were completely destroyed in the July 30, 2024, landslide. Beneficiaries were also handed land titles, including five acres near Meppadi village for 13 Scheduled Tribe families, ensuring their long-term rehabilitation.

Paying homage to those who lost their lives in the tragedy, Vijayan acknowledged that the ceremony carried both relief and painful memories. The township, developed under the Disaster Management Act, is designed to eventually rehabilitate 410 families, with an estimated 1,662 residents across five zones and 35 clusters. Each cluster features 8–20 homes built around a central green courtyard with a 5.5-metre-wide internal road, and each family is allotted seven cents of land with individual title deeds (Pattayams).

The project has been conceptualised as a comprehensive rehabilitation initiative rather than a simple housing scheme, following the ‘Build Back Better’ principle. Facilities include a community hall, disaster shelter, football ground, disaster memorial, shops, material collection centre, check dam, water body, underground power distribution, drainage system, and a 9.5-lakh-litre overhead water tank. Each home is fitted with a 2 kW solar power unit, while ten sewage treatment plants and reinforced concrete construction ensure disaster resilience and scope for vertical expansion.

Vijayan highlighted that construction was completed despite numerous challenges, deploying thousands of workers and officials under strict supervision to ensure timely execution. During the immediate aftermath of the disaster, fully equipped relief camps were established, providing food, medical care, and counselling.

The government has also extended extensive financial support: Rs 6,000 per month in house rent assistance amounting to over Rs 6 crore, Rs 17.2 crore in livelihood assistance, Rs 13 crore as relief aid, and Rs 1.3 crore in emergency support. Assistance of Rs 2 crore was provided for 21 children orphaned by the disaster, and 858 families continue to receive monthly food coupons worth Rs 1,000.

The Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund for Wayanad disaster victims received Rs 773.98 crore, with contributions from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh (Rs 10 crore each) and Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan (Rs 5 crore each). Additionally, the state cleared Rs 18.75 crore in outstanding loans for 555 families, covering 1,620 loans, after repeated requests to the Centre for loan write-offs went unanswered.

Vijayan emphasised that attempts to derail the rehabilitation process through misinformation and legal challenges were overcome, reinforcing the Kerala model of compassion and solidarity. He assured that all landslide survivors will be rehabilitated before the next monsoon season, with a detailed action plan already in place.

The event was attended by Revenue Minister P Rajan, Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas, local MLAs, and other officials, marking a significant milestone in Kerala’s disaster recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

ANI