Relocation Resistance Hinders Landslide Relief in Kozhikode’s Upland Areas

Despite repeated safety alerts from local administrators, residents in Kozhikode’s upland areas remain reluctant to relocate from landslide-prone zones. Agriculture and animal husbandry commitments are frequently cited as reasons for ignoring warnings, posing a significant challenge for disaster management efforts. Thiruvambadi panchayat, where nearly a quarter of the area is high-risk, has seen no positive response to relocation requests.

Similar resistance is observed in Koodaranhi grama panchayat, where even personal appeals to families have failed to ensure compliance. Local leaders stress the urgent need for better-equipped emergency facilities to facilitate effective rehabilitation. The persistence of this reluctance endangers lives, as past landslides in these regions have resulted in significant casualties and property damage.