On July 30, 2024, the lives of hundreds of families in Wayanad, Kerala, were forever changed.
A massive landslide occurred in the hills, burying homes, shops, places of worship, and roads. Entire areas were completely destroyed. The Meppadi panchayat's three wards were devastated.
When the rain stopped and the debris cleared, many people had lost their lives.
Some children were left orphaned. Survivors found themselves alone in the ruins of their former homes, with nothing to rebuild.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly for months in difficult conditions, searching through the mud and debris.
For those who survived, the following days were filled with grief, fear, and uncertainty about the future.
During rehabilitation talks with the government, the survivors requested to live together again. They wanted to avoid being scattered across different locations.
The Kerala government responded by creating a rehabilitation project to bring all the affected families together in one place.
A new settlement has been established on 130 acres of land acquired through the Disaster Management Act, at Elton Estates.
Well-built houses are now standing in rows where there was once open land. The new settlement includes basic facilities such as a hospital, school, community hall, and playgrounds.
Shops and other services are also being planned to help families restart their livelihoods.
The first batch of 178 beneficiaries, who will receive houses constructed under the Model Township project near Kalpetta, will begin living there on March 1, after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hands over the keys.
"We are so happy and grateful. This is a great area, close to Kalpetta, and we never imagined having such a good house here. The government has done an excellent job," said Manoj JMJ, a survivor and the convenor of the action council for landslide survivors, to
