Kerala Government announces 3-Phase Plan to rehabilitate landslide victims

Since July 30, a total of 192 body parts, mostly unidentified, have been found in the aftermath of massive landslides in Wayanad. The disaster has claimed 225 lives so far. On the ninth day of search operations, one body and four body parts were recovered from Wayanad and Nilambur in Malappuram district. The landslides, occurring within three hours, devastated Chooralmala, Mundakkai, Attamala, and Punchirimattom in Meppadi panchayat. 138 people are still missing based on local officials’ examination of ration card details.

Three-Phase rehabilitation plan

Revenue Minister K Rajan, part of the cabinet sub-committee, announced a three-phase rehabilitation plan. The first phase involves moving affected people from relief camps in government schools to temporary accommodations. Survivors who prefer to stay with relatives can do so, while others will be relocated to vacant homes and government properties, with all expenses covered by the administration. Local bodies will coordinate special teams to provide necessary facilities at these locations.

In the second phase, survivors will be placed in temporary transit homes built with pre-fab technology before moving to permanent homes. The final phase includes creating a comprehensive township with all necessary facilities in a safe area. Land for this township is currently being identified.

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Additional support and future plans

To support the affected, 136 counselors have been appointed. Survivors have reported harassment from moneylenders and loan sharks. In response, the government has scheduled a state-level banking committee meeting led by the chief secretary to address these issues.

An expert team from the state disaster management department, including officials from hydrology, geology, soil conservation, and hazard analysts, will visit the landslide sites and report back to the state government. The Wayanad district administration has released a draft list of 138 missing persons. DNA tests and blood sample analysis are expected to reduce this number.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the affected areas in Wayanad on August 10. He will fly to Kannur airport, take an aerial survey by helicopter, and visit the relief camps housing survivors and the families of the deceased.