The government of Kerala has handed over 178 newly constructed houses to families affected by the devastating 2024 landslide in Mundakkai-Chooralmala, marking the first phase of a major rehabilitation project in Wayanad.
The homes were officially inaugurated by Pinarayi Vijayan as part of the Wayanad Model Township developed at Elton Estate. The project aims to provide permanent housing and improved living conditions for families displaced by the disaster that struck the region on July 30, 2024.
First Phase of Large-Scale Rehabilitation Completed
Under the first phase of the project, 178 houses have been allotted to families whose homes were completely destroyed in the landslide. The beneficiaries were also given individual land titles, ensuring long-term security of ownership.
The township is part of a larger rehabilitation plan designed to accommodate over 400 affected families once fully completed.
According to the state government, the project has been conceived as a comprehensive rehabilitation initiative, going beyond housing to provide infrastructure, community facilities and long-term resilience against natural disasters.
Township Planned with Modern Infrastructure
The Wayanad Model Township has been developed as a cluster-based residential community spread across five zones.
Key features of the township include:
35 residential clusters, each with 8–20 houses
Houses arranged around central green courtyards
5.5-metre-wide internal roads for accessibility
Seven cents of land allocated to each family with ownership titles
The township also includes multiple public facilities such as:
Community hall
Disaster shelter
Football ground
Disaster memorial
Retail shops
Material collection centre
Water bodies and check dams
Sustainable and Disaster-Resilient Housing
The housing units and public buildings have been designed with disaster resilience and sustainability in mind.
Each home includes:
A 2 kW solar power system for electricity generation
Reinforced concrete construction for durability
Scope for future vertical expansion
Infrastructure within the township includes 10 sewage treatment plants, underground power distribution networks, drainage systems and a 9.5-lakh-litre overhead water tank to ensure adequate water supply.
Officials said the township has been built to withstand extreme weather conditions, aligning with the global “Build Back Better” principle of post-disaster reconstruction.
Support Measures for Affected Families
Following the landslide disaster, the Kerala government introduced several relief measures to support displaced families.
These included:
₹6,000 monthly rental assistance for temporary accommodation
₹17.2 crore livelihood assistance for affected residents
₹13 crore relief aid and ₹1.3 crore emergency support
Financial assistance of ₹2 crore for children who lost their parents
In addition, 858 families continue to receive monthly food coupons worth ₹1,000.
The government also took responsibility for settling ₹18.75 crore in loans taken by affected families, covering 1,620 loans across various banks.
Contributions and Funding Support
A significant amount of funding for rehabilitation came through the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, which received ₹773.98 crore in contributions for Wayanad disaster relief.
Several Indian states also contributed to the relief effort:
Karnataka – ₹10 crore
Andhra Pradesh – ₹10 crore
Tamil Nadu – ₹5 crore
Rajasthan – ₹5 crore
Remaining Rehabilitation to Be Completed Before Monsoon
Chief Minister Vijayan stated that the government plans to complete rehabilitation for all remaining families before the next monsoon season.
He described the township as a symbol of Kerala’s determination to rebuild communities affected by natural disasters while ensuring safer housing, better infrastructure and dignified living conditions.
The project is expected to accommodate around 1,662 residents across more than 400 families once the remaining phases of construction are completed.
