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

Published 9 June 2026 · politics

Even as a bridge across the Chaliyar at Munderi in Pothukal panchayat nears completion seven years after it was washed away in the 2019 floods

Even as a bridge across the Chaliyar at Munderi in Pothukal panchayat nears completion seven years after it was washed away in the 2019 floods, dozens of tribal families living across the river continue to stay in tarpaulin sheds, exposed to wild animals and harsh weather. The situation is most acute in Vaniyampuzha, where 47 families displaced by the 2019 floods continue to live in makeshift shelters despite receiving land titles months ago. Though land has been earmarked and title deeds distributed, houses have not been built. The settlement, about 500 m from the Vaniyampuzha forest station, remains vulnerable to rain and wildlife.

Until recently, many families lived in tree-top huts they built to protect themselves from elephants and other wild animals. The tribal settlements across the Chaliyar include Vaniyampuzha, Iruttukuthi, Tharippapotti, Thandamkallu and Kumbalappara. Around 130 families live in these colonies on the forest side of the river. The bridge linking the settlements to the mainland was washed away in the 2019 floods, disrupting access to the mainland. The replacement bridge is almost complete and is being used by pedestrians, but it has not been opened to vehicles. “It took seven years for the government to rebuild the bridge.

We can walk across it now, but vehicles cannot use it yet. What we need now is proper housing,” said K.V. Sudha, a resident of Vaniyampuzha. The delay in housing construction has forced families to spend another monsoon in temporary shelters. Residents say strong winds and rain frequently damage the tarpaulin roofs. While the bridge project is nearing completion, rehabilitation remains incomplete. The government has allotted land and issued title deeds, but houses have yet to materialise. Wild animals continue to pose a threat. Residents say an elephant is often seen near the bridge and settlement areas.

“Elephants are a constant threat here. They roam near the bridge and the settlements. Living in tarpaulin sheds makes us more vulnerable during the monsoon,” said Girish S., a resident. Children from the settlements attend schools, including the ones at Nhettikulam and Pothukal, while families continue to face difficulties accessing essential services during heavy rain. Residents say the bridge alone will not solve their problems. Their immediate demand is safe and permanent housing.