Wayanad landslide rehabilitation: Despite housing, survivors struggle with infrastructure needs and livelihood
Two years after the Wayanad landslides, survivors living in new rehabilitation townships report that while housing is provided, essential infrastructure like roads, waste management, and livelihood support remain inadequate. Residents emphasize that long-term recovery requires more than just physical shelter, especially given the region's ongoing vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
Why it matters
The situation underscores the challenges of post-disaster recovery and the necessity for holistic planning that addresses socio-economic needs alongside housing.
Two years after the devastating landslide at Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad district of Kerala, many survivors who have moved into newly built rehabilitation township say that receiving permanent housing has brought relief, but rebuilding their lives remains a work in progress as they continue to grapple with poor roads, waste management, livelihood concerns and rising living costs.
Residents say incomplete roadworks have made access to the rehabilitation township difficult during the monsoon. | Photo Credit: Floris John Vincent
While welcoming the Kerala government’s rehabilitation initiative, residents say that permanent housing alone cannot restore normalcy. “We are grateful for the new homes, but rehabilitation is about more than getting a roof over our heads,” says K. Ramesh, convener of the Phase-I Landslide Association.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in