Wayanad, April 27 (IANS) Almost two years after the devastating landslide wiped out homes and upended lives in Chooralmala, Wayanad, hope has finally taken concrete shape for 51 families who lost everything.

On Monday, these families stepped into their new houses in a rehabilitation township built at Meppadi, marking a deeply emotional return to stability and dignity.

The township, constructed by the second biggest ally in the Congress-led UDF- Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), spans 11.5 acres and forms part of a Rs 30 crore rehabilitation initiative aimed at supporting 105 affected families.

The first phase includes 51 fully completed houses, each a 1060 sq ft, three-bedroom unit designed to offer both comfort and permanence.

For survivors, the moment is more than just a relocation—it is the closing of a long, painful chapter.

Many had been living in temporary shelters since the landslide, carrying memories of loss while waiting for a place to call home again.

That wait has now ended.

IUML supreme leader Panakkad Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, who visited the township to meet residents, recalled the promise made in the aftermath of the tragedy.

“Soon after the disaster, we announced that IUML would construct homes for the victims. Last month, we handed over the keys, and from Monday, families have begun moving in,” he said.

He added that while 51 homes have now been occupied, the remaining 54 houses are nearing completion and will be handed over soon.

The project, executed by a dedicated committee, was closely monitored through regular progress reports to ensure timely delivery and quality construction.

What makes the initiative stand out is its funding model.

The entire project was powered by public contributions, mobilised through a dedicated crowdfunding app reflecting a collective effort that turned empathy into action.

Built with high-quality materials and thoughtful planning, the township is more than a cluster of houses, as it is a symbol of resilience.

For these 51 families, the sound of doors opening this week was not just about new homes, but about reclaiming a future once thought lost.

–IANS

sg/uk