Kerala Begins Resettlement of Wayanad Landslide Survivors in 327-House Township

Survivor families of the devastating 2024 Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad district have begun moving into newly constructed homes at a government-built township in Kalpetta, marking a significant step in their long rehabilitation journey.

The landslide, which struck in July 2024 in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala region of Wayanad, claimed over 200 lives and destroyed hundreds of houses, leaving many families displaced and struggling to rebuild their lives.

As part of the rehabilitation effort, the state government constructed a dedicated township comprising 327 houses for the affected families. Earlier this year, then Chief Minister and CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan had formally handed over keys to 178 houses . However, relocation was delayed as several supporting facilities within the township were still being completed.

On Sunday, a few families finally moved into their homes, becoming the first residents of the new settlement. The transition was marked by traditional housewarming rituals, including the customary “ paal kaachal ” ceremony, symbolising a fresh beginning.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan said he spoke to some of the families over the phone and shared in their emotional relief. He described a home as “not just walls and a roof, but a symbol of hope, confidence and a new life ,” adding that he wholeheartedly shared in their happiness and wished them a peaceful future.

Former Revenue Minister and CPI leader K Rajan also shared visuals of the housewarming ceremony, describing the township as a “ city of love ” built collectively by the state for disaster survivors.

The township project is part of Kerala’s broader post-disaster rehabilitation programme aimed at providing permanent housing and restoring stability for families affected by one of the state’s worst natural calamities in recent years.