SATHRAPADDY: In 2012, Paingatoor near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district witnessed a major landslide that claimed six lives. Today, the 38 families living in Sathrapaddy, which lies in the opposite direction, spend sleepless nights during monsoon fearing a similar fate. They have knocked on every door and sent SOS to the relevant authorities. But they remain neglected. The Four Cent Colony in Sathrapaddy was formed when the state government evacuated families for the Kuttampuzha-Kothamangalam road and rehabilitated them on a nearly half-acre land back in 1987.
While the monsoon season is claimed to be the best time to visit Kerala, for these residents, it is the most feared time of the year.“We are living in a place which is awaiting a natural disaster,” said Haridas Pallekal, a local resident.“When the rain starts, the heart starts to beat hard too, thinking about the safety of our children. There are cracks all around our land and houses. Even during low-intensity rain, mud from the higher regions flushes inside the houses. On some occasions, heavy rocks from the retaining wall collapse on the houses causing damage.”
Haridas is a witness to a tragedy after a tree fell on his house causing him severe injuries. The Four Cent Colony is located on a steep hill and residents have to climb 144 steps to reach the top. “It’s very hard to shift elders and sick people to hospitals in an emergency situation. Vehicles reach the lower part of the hill. The elders have to climb all the way down to reach the road before they can be taken to hospitals,” said Lissy Haridas.Fearing for life, some have left the place. “Two families have already moved to other locations,” said Omana, who has been living in the colony for 24 years.
“However, a majority of us are economically poor, and we cannot afford to buy land and construct a house in another place. Only the government can now help us, by giving land in other places and providing some money to construct houses there.” K J Jose, Standing Committee Chairman and ward member at Kuttampuzha panchayat, said projects were formulated for basic construction work that can prevent a natural disaster in the colony.
“We had planned a project worth around Rs 2 crore and the proposal was sent to the district administration. However, the proposals remain on paper. Now, we are looking for private companies that can provide CSR funds,” he said.