Wayanad flood victims fear leaving their homes despite education camp being set up

The traces of the devastating floods and landslides that occurred in the past months in the state of Kerala, India, have not yet been erased. Especially in disaster areas like Puthumaly (Puthumala) in the Wayanad region, survivors are experiencing deep trauma despite being moved to rehabilitation centers such as the 'Model Village' (Matrika Gramam) built in memory of those who lost their lives. The constant dampness of the walls and unhealthy conditions cause serious concerns for families living in these temporary accommodations. Families with children, in particular, doubt the safety of these structures while feeling they have no other options due to their limited means. The housing crisis is evolving beyond the physical destruction caused by the natural disaster into a psychological and social dimension. Disaster victims are trying to make their voices heard as much as possible due to these enduring difficulties and uncertainties.

In this human tragedy, alongside housing problems, families' concerns regarding the safety of their children stand out as a striking detail. Expressions such as 'It is scary to sleep because the walls are wet... we have children with us' are considered a clear reflection of the psychological pressure on the victims. Although the Model Village project built in Puthumaly promises a new beginning for the disaster victims, structural issues encountered in practice and the damp environment cast a shadow over these promises. People are trying to make their voices heard to the authorities to attain safe and livable conditions before another disaster occurs and the buildings are damaged. However, current conditions show that families are stuck between a very difficult dilemma; both the pain of the past disaster is fresh and there is a risk of new danger.

Beyond physical damage, the psychological state of the disaster victims and the traumas they experience constitute the most critical and least considered dimension of the rehabilitation process. In Puthumaly and other surrounding regions (such as Chooralmala), the pain of lost loved ones and uncertainty towards the future remain as a heavy burden on people's shoulders. The delay in the transition process to permanent housing and the insufficiency of temporary solutions lead to these traumas deepening. Support provided by local governments and aid organizations is sometimes insufficient for the victims' adaptation to daily life, which creates extra stress on the community. People want not only to keep a roof over their heads but also to feel psychologically secure.

The adequacy of measures taken by local governments and authorities in deepening the problems and accelerating the solution remains a major topic of discussion on the agenda. Even if projects like the Model Village are implemented, detailed deficiencies ranging from construction quality to drainage problems show that there are coordination gaps in disaster management. Victims continue to pressure authorities to keep the promises made to them and to improve living standards. Criticisms are made not only about the construction of houses but also about bringing the infrastructure (water, electricity, roads, etc.) to a fully usable state. Such demands clearly reveal society's expectations and obstacles regarding the post-disaster recovery process.

Consequently, the process following the flood disaster in the Wayanad region has turned into a multidimensional social healing struggle, not limited to debris removal. Residents of areas like Puthumaly and Chooralmala are trying to both forget the pains of the past and prepare for potential future risks. While the safety and health of children are the parents' top priority, improving current housing conditions emerges as a vital necessity. This event once again proves how important it is to strengthen people's psychological well-being and social support networks, as well as physical reconstruction, in the work to be done after natural disasters. The expression of victims that 'the pains do not subside' stands before us as the most concrete summary of this long and arduous healing process.