On July 30, 2024, relentless rains triggered massive landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala villages, burying homes and farmland. Official figures confirm 298 deaths, 378 injuries and the displacement of more than 4,600 residents, making it one of the worst disasters in the state’s recent history.
State Revenue and Housing Minister K Rajan said the tragedy has prompted Kerala to rethink its approach to construction, farming, and tourism in hill districts. “Sustainable tourism is our goal and the way forward for us. While tourism is the most important and prioritised sector for Kerala, it should be carried out in compliance with the environment,” he said.
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Rajan emphasised that the state’s strict land rules will be rigorously enforced. “No one can construct anything without a licence from the relevant local body. If any official colludes with unscrupulous elements to circumvent land rules, stringent action will be taken,” he warned.
The government has rolled out a series of measures including tighter land-use planning, restoration of degraded landscapes, enhanced disaster warning systems, and a crackdown on illegal constructions in sensitive zones. Rajan added that disaster preparedness will also focus on vulnerable groups. “Earlier, our focus was on vulnerable areas, but now we are also focusing on vulnerable people like the elderly, children, and women who are living in or near these areas to make sure that they receive help first in case of a natural disaster,” he explained.
As part of rehabilitation efforts, relief assistance worth Rs 773 crore has been sanctioned. The centrepiece is the Elstone Estate Township Project, designed to resettle 451 affected families with permanent housing and essential amenities. The government has acquired 64.41 hectares of land for Rs 44 crore to build 410 earthquake-resistant homes.
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The township will feature healthcare facilities, an Anganwadi, roads, bridges, a market, and a Material Recovery Centre. Rajan said the initiative was shaped by feedback from survivors. “The rehabilitation project for the landslide survivors of Mundakkai and Chooralmala is a model rehab project in the entire country. The government went to the survivors and asked what kind of rehab project they wanted. The survivors replied that they wanted to live like a closed network, just like they lived before the disaster. Hence, the model township project idea took shape. The government is not giving them a lump sum amount and washing its hands, but is supporting them to rebuild their lives,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
