Wayanad landslide rehabilitation: Despite housing, survivors struggle with infrastructure needs and livelihood

Construction activities going on at the Wayanad Model Township project site. | Photo Credit: Floris John Vincent 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.The newly occupied township is located at the Elstone Estate in Kalpetta, where the first phase of 178 disaster-resilient, two-bedroom houses was constructed to resettle displaced families. Although the site was selected for its low landslide risk, residents are now finding that basic civic services and local transport links have not kept pace with their daily needs. “Waste disposal, roads and livelihood opportunities are the issues that now determine how successfully we can rebuild our lives,” he added.​The recent debris slip at the construction site for the Wayanad tunnel or the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road at Kalladi, Wayanad, a few kilometres away, on July 7, 2026 which claimed eight lives and triggered a major rescue operation, has also revived memories of the Chooralmala-Mundakkai disaster on July 30, 2024 among many beneficiaries.A stark reminder“The incident was a stark reminder of the district’s continuing vulnerability to landslides during the monsoon. It reinforces the need for rehabilitation efforts that extend beyond permanent housing to include resilient infrastructure, better connectivity and sustainable livelihood opportunities,” says Mr. Ramesh.​Residents say the lack of a proper food waste disposal system has become a big concern in the newly occupied township, with waste reportedly being stored near houses due to the absence of systematic collection. They also pointed to poor internal roads, where ongoing construction and monsoon rains have left stretches muddy and difficult to navigate, particularly for school-going children and elderly residents.​Many families who earlier depended on agriculture and plantation-related work say they are struggling to adjust to higher cost of living after relocation. “In Chooralmala, many of us depended on farming and had lower daily expenses. Life in a township is different and far more expensive,” says Mr. Ramesh.​V.R. Thoman, who recently shifted to the township after spending months in rented accommodation, says the move has eased the burden of paying rent, but employment opportunities remained scarce. “At present, there is hardly any work available. We depend on rations and my pension to manage our daily expenses,” he says.​He adds that unfinished roads often become inaccessible during heavy rain, making it difficult for vehicles to reach the township.​Another beneficiary, Kalyani, says receiving a permanent home has brought a sense of security despite the challenges that remain. She hopes that infrastructure and essential public services will improve as more families settle into the township.​Savithri Kulathingal, who lost several members of her extended family in the disaster, says receiving a permanent house has brought relief after months of uncertainty. However, she says waterlogging, unfinished infrastructure and the lack of livelihood opportunities continue to affect daily life.​For many survivors, Ms. Savithri points out, the success of rehabilitation will ultimately depend not only on permanent housing but also on sustainable livelihoods, reliable infrastructure and a return to normalcy.(The writer, Floris John Vincent, is an intern with The Hindu) Published - July 29, 2026 01:12 pm IST