Seven years after floods, dozens of tribal families still live under tarpaulin roofs

Even arsenic a span crossed the Chaliyar astatine Munderi successful Pothukal panchayat nears completion 7 years aft it was washed distant successful the 2019 floods, dozens of tribal families surviving crossed the stream proceed to enactment successful tarpaulin sheds, exposed to chaotic animals and harsh weather.

The concern is astir acute successful Vaniyampuzha, wherever 47 families displaced by the 2019 floods proceed to unrecorded successful makeshift shelters contempt receiving onshore titles months ago. Though onshore has been earmarked and rubric deeds distributed, houses person not been built.

The settlement, astir 500 m from the Vaniyampuzha wood station, remains susceptible to rainfall and wildlife. Until recently, galore families lived successful tree-top huts they built to support themselves from elephants and different chaotic animals.

The tribal settlements crossed the Chaliyar see Vaniyampuzha, Iruttukuthi, Tharippapotti, Thandamkallu and Kumbalappara. Around 130 families unrecorded successful these colonies connected the wood broadside of the river.

The span linking the settlements to the mainland was washed distant successful the 2019 floods, disrupting entree to the mainland. The replacement span is astir implicit and is being utilized by pedestrians, but it has not been opened to vehicles.

“It took 7 years for the authorities to rebuild the bridge. We tin locomotion crossed it now, but vehicles cannot usage it yet. What we request present is due housing,” said K.V. Sudha, a nonmigratory of Vaniyampuzha.

The hold successful lodging operation has forced families to walk different monsoon successful impermanent shelters. Residents accidental beardown winds and rainfall often harm the tarpaulin roofs.

While the span task is nearing completion, rehabilitation remains incomplete. The authorities has allotted onshore and issued rubric deeds, but houses person yet to materialise.

Wild animals proceed to airs a threat. Residents accidental an elephant is often seen adjacent the span and colony areas.

“Elephants are a changeless menace here. They roam adjacent the span and the settlements. Living successful tarpaulin sheds makes america much susceptible during the monsoon,” said Girish S., a resident.

Children from the settlements be schools, including the ones astatine Nhettikulam and Pothukal, portion families proceed to look difficulties accessing indispensable services during dense rain.

Residents accidental the span unsocial volition not lick their problems. Their contiguous request is harmless and imperishable housing.