Wayanad rehabilitation sets significant precedent for disaster recovery
Humans are the main victims of both man-made and natural disasters. The helpless and destitute need to be helped in both disasters. As the scale and severity of the natural disaster increase, the number of people who come to help will also grow. The Mundakkai Chooralmala landslide in Wayanad remains in our memories with a shocking roar and mourning. The suffering of those who lost their entire house and family members is indescribable. The Prime Minister, the cabinet members led by the Chief Minister, and the government agencies arrived at the right time for the rescue operation. Various political movements and voluntary organisations were involved in relief operations with one heart.
The draw for 178 houses in the township built by the government in Kalpetta Elston Estate for the rehabilitation of landslide victims was held recently. The draw was held at the Meppadi MSA Auditorium in the presence of public representatives and political party workers. The houses were drawn by the beneficiaries themselves. The first to draw a house was Punchili Ashraf, a native of Chooralmala, who still tearfully remembers his two-story house and business that had been his life's savings being washed away in the landslide. As Ashraf held the paper with the writing 'Zone 1, House No. 104' to his chest, his mind must have been filled with gratitude to the government and those who extended a helping hand.
Ashraf's 'Famous Store', the largest business establishment in Chooralmala, and his two-story house on the new Village Road were destroyed in the landslide. Ashraf, his wife and three children narrowly escaped. They have been living in a rented house for a year and a half. The rent is ten thousand rupees. Of this, six thousand rupees will be paid by the government. Ashraf himself had to find the rest of the amount. Ashraf is happy that the government has allotted a house near Kalpetta town.
The drawing of lots for the 178 houses to be given in the first phase was held in the presence of Minister O.R. Kelu, T. Siddique MLA, Wayanad District Panchayat President Chandrika Krishnan and others. The drawing of lots was conducted by depositing papers mentioning the zone, cluster, and plot number in a box. The houses won in the draw will be given to the respective beneficiaries. The order granting the patta of the houses and seven cents of land handed over in the first phase was presented to the beneficiaries. A special counter was also set up at the event for the procedures regarding providing electricity, drinking water, ration cards and house ownership documents. The government will pay the three-month amount for electricity and drinking water connections. After that, the connections will be transferred to the names of the beneficiaries. A certificate for the same was also handed over.
Kerala has to bear more losses due to natural disasters than man-made disasters. Floods, landslides, etc., often cause great loss of life and economic damage. It is worth mentioning that we are ready to face it together, forgetting all political and communal differences. In addition to the houses provided by the government, various political parties and voluntary organisations are also providing houses. This will go a long way in helping the affected people. All the initiatives that help the affected people to return to normal life after the disaster that has occurred are to be commended.