UAE expats are expected to play a significant role in the rebuilding process of the Wayanad district in Kerala, India, after devastating floods and landslides. Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, expressed his confidence in the expat community’s willingness to assist their native land during times of need, citing their previous support during cyclones, floods, and the Covid pandemic. Many expats and organizations have already made contributions to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund and have pledged to help rebuild the homes of the affected individuals.
The recent tragedy in Wayanad, which saw heavy rains and landslides claiming the lives of hundreds of people, has prompted Vijayan to call on travelers to continue visiting the district to aid in its recovery. While some areas remain restricted, most of Wayanad is open to tourists, and tourism can greatly support the local community and help sustain livelihoods. However, Vijayan acknowledges that the rebuilding process will take time, drawing upon the experience of the historic floods in 2018 that required several years to complete the Rebuild Kerala Initiative.
During the current rehabilitation phase, the government’s focus is on assisting survivors and ensuring the return of displaced students to school. Back-to-home kits and financial aid have been provided to displaced families, and efforts have been made to resume academic activities in affected schools. The government is also working on improving the state’s weather forecast system to better predict and reduce the impacts of natural disasters like landslides. An Institute for Climate Change Studies and the Climate Change Adaptation Mission have been established to enhance preparedness for such events.
Vijayan emphasized the need for community-based relief shelters and localized early warning systems in landslide-prone areas in addition to enhancing the official weather forecast system at the national level. The government of Kerala is committed to focusing on land use and implementing measures to ensure the safety of communities in disaster-prone regions. As the rebuilding process in Wayanad progresses, expats from the UAE and around the world are expected to play a crucial role in supporting their native land and contributing to the district’s recovery efforts.
