Thrissur: In the flood-prone village of Nattika, two items have become essential during this monsoon at the home of local MLA C C Mukundan — a few thick jute sacks and a set of wide-mouthed vessels. Rainwater now flows freely through the ageing tiled roof of his house, where even the rafters and wooden beams have begun to rot. The vessels are used to collect the steady stream of water leaking inside, while the jute sacks help scoop and drain it out.

Mukundan’s home is located just a kilometre away from the busy Anthikkad junction. This old house, tiled and worn by time, is now under the threat of foreclosure. Ten years ago, Mukundan had taken a loan of ₹6 lakh from the Karamukku Cooperative Bank to meet the expenses of his daughter’s wedding. He renewed the loan once before contesting the last election. Today, the unpaid amount stands at ₹18.75 lakh. The bank has sent several notices threatening repossession. However, since Mukundan is now a sitting MLA, formal attachment proceedings have been stalled due to procedural limitations. A senior CPI leader, he is currently estranged from the party.

On Wednesday night, Mukundan suffered a serious injury to his right leg after slipping and falling in the rainwater pooling inside his house. He had just returned home past midnight after paying his last respects to veteran leader V S Achuthanandan. While walking through the hall — now converted into a bedroom — he lost balance and fell. Doctors have advised complete rest for 15 days.

Once an attender at the Anthikkad Coir Workers’ Cooperative Society, Mukundan now receives a modest pension from that job. As an MLA, he receives an honorarium — but it’s not enough to repay his mounting debts. He must pay ₹28,000 every month to repay the ₹10 lakh vehicle loan sanctioned by the government. In addition, he owes ₹3 lakh in a separate bank loan. The combined burden leaves him with virtually no disposable income. His wife Radhika, a former two-time panchayat member, currently has no earnings. Their two daughters are employed on temporary contracts and earn only modest incomes.

Mukundan has purchased tarpaulin to try and stop the leaks. But no one is willing to climb onto the weakened roof to cover it — it’s simply too risky.