What Happened a Year After the Wayanad Landslide Tragedy?

Wayanad, July 29 (NationPress) One year has passed since a devastating landslide obliterated four villages in Wayanad, resulting in 298 fatalities and leaving over 40 individuals unaccounted for. The impact of this tragedy continues to resonate deeply with the survivors as they mourn their loved ones and strive to restore their disrupted lives.

On the anniversary of this calamity, the youth faction of the Indian Union Muslim League organized a protest march through the affected regions, underscoring the perceived indifference of the Kerala government.

Simultaneously, the Youth Congress initiated a 24-hour protest outside the Wayanad Collectorate, voicing concerns over the sluggish pace of the rehabilitation efforts.

An interfaith prayer gathering is scheduled for Wednesday in the Meppadi village council, further reflecting the community’s collective sorrow.

Despite these efforts, the situation on the ground remains largely unchanged, with survivors anxiously awaiting the rehabilitation initiatives promised by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's administration. Currently, they are residing in state-sponsored rental accommodations.

Approximately 402 families are anticipating new homes that are being constructed in two designated townships, while around 50 families are anxiously awaiting the possibility of being included in a subsequent list of beneficiaries.

The state government has projected that the completion of these townships will occur by December, but given the current construction pace, this timeline appears uncertain.

The Left government has received authorization from the High Court to acquire two estates for the township development: the Harrison Malayalam Estate, spanning 65.41 acres in Nedumbala, and the Elston Estate, covering 78.73 acres in Kalpetta.

In total, 145 homes were completely destroyed, 170 were partially damaged, 240 are deemed uninhabitable, and 183 homes were washed away in the disaster.

The ongoing blame game between state and central authorities continues, with the High Court requesting both levels of government to provide their perspective within two weeks regarding the potential forgiveness of bank loans taken by the affected survivors.

On this tragic anniversary, many reflected on the harrowing days that followed the landslide.

Shyja, an Asha worker, dedicated 11 days to help identify around 100 bodies. She recalls, “It was an incredibly painful responsibility, and I still experience sleepless nights thinking about the faces of the children I saw lifeless before me, along with the dismembered bodies. As an Asha worker closely connected with the community, it was my duty to identify the deceased.”

Dr. Shankar, who was involved at the hospital where the injured and deceased were brought, described scenes filled with heartbreak. “We are human beings with emotions, and witnessing such pain and tragedy was exceptionally challenging for us,” he remarked.

Forest Officer Sivaraman, one of the first responders to reach the Chooralmala area post-disaster, recounted the chaos. “Upon arrival, it was pitch dark, and homes were being swept away. Despite the challenges, we managed to rescue 40 individuals. We did our utmost during those trying times,” he recalled.

A resident near Chaliyar lake at Pothukal, where 80 bodies and over 257 body parts were recovered, expressed that the haunting memories would linger for a long time.

As the memory of this catastrophe remains vivid in the community's hearts and minds, all attention is focused on the Vijayan government and its ability to expedite the completion of the townships, providing a new beginning for the victims of nature's wrath.