Padinjarathara: The whole of Kerala might be looking forward to the onset of monsoon to bring relief from searing heat, but not the residents of Madathumpara colony near here in Wayanad district. The colony, which is near to the Banasura dam, is facing threat of floods. The area is submerged in water when the dam shutters are opened to release water.
Most of the houses in the colony were under water in the August deluge last year. Many families are staying in nine houses, and three of them were destroyed in the floods.
People who lost their homes in the floods are staying in makeshift houses, which don’t have proper doors, built by voluntary organizations, and the other houses are leaking. As the wells have gone dry, the colony residents have to tread a long distance to fetch potable water.
The construction of houses is in limbo due to paucity of funds to acquire land though money has been earmarked for building houses. The authorities concerned said that it was a matter of concern that people were staying in this area despite threat of floods. The demand to find a solution to the problems of colony residents are getting louder.
