MEPPADI, India – Five years after a devastating landslide destroyed their home in the mundakkai region, one family continues to struggle with displacement and financial hardship. Sukumaran Mudakkaiyil and his family are among those impacted by a series of landslides in the area, beginning with the Puthumala disaster of 2019 [[1]]. Despite being allocated land for rebuilding, limited funds and a lack of sponsorship have stalled their progress, highlighting ongoing challenges for disaster recovery efforts in the region.
MEPPADI, INDIA – A family displaced by a devastating landslide in August 2020 continues to live in temporary housing years after losing their home. The tragedy struck the Mundakkai region, destroying the house and a small plot of land owned by Sukumaran Mudakkaiyil and his family.
For five years, the family has resided in rented accommodation after their home in Punchirimattam was completely destroyed by the landslide on August 7, 2020. This event followed closely on the heels of another major disaster, the Puthumala landslide of August 8, 2019. The Mundakkai landslide impacted three homes in Punchirimattam, completely demolishing them and causing significant damage to numerous others. A local bridge was also destroyed in the disaster.
Sukumaran stands in front of the foundation of the house built on a 7-cent plot in Meppadi Mukilpeedika.
Sukumaran had taken out a loan of 400,000 rupees from the Kerala Bank Churalmala branch to build the five-cent property, which was then swept away by the landslide. This left his family – including his ailing wife and two children – without a permanent home. They subsequently moved to a rented house in Kottavayal, paying 5,000 rupees per month in rent.
The family faces mounting financial pressure, with monthly expenses covering his wife’s medical treatment, his children’s education, general household costs, and the rental payments. Adding to their burden is the repayment of the bank loan, making it increasingly difficult for Sukumaran, a daily wage earner, to make ends meet.
A seven-cent plot was allocated to Sukumaran’s family in Mukilpeedika to rebuild, as part of the housing project for those affected by the Puthumala disaster. However, of the 1 million rupees allocated for reconstruction, 600,000 rupees went towards the cost of the land, leaving only 400,000 rupees for building a new home. This amount is insufficient to cover the full cost of construction.
Sponsors funded the construction of other homes in the project, covering expenses beyond the initial allocation. Unfortunately, Sukumaran was unable to secure a sponsor, bringing his rebuilding efforts to a standstill. “While sponsors and volunteer organizations stepped forward to help others affected by the disaster, no one came forward to assist my family,” Sukumaran said with disappointment.
