With the entire landscape of Kodagu ravaged by floods and landslips over two consecutive years, the authorities are facing the challenge of finding proper land for building houses for flood victims.
Hundreds of houses were damaged both last year and this, leaving many people homeless. Though efforts to explore using government land for the rehabilitation of this year’s victims have begun, land for building “flood-proof” houses is not easily available. The available lands are either unsuitable or far away from human habitations. Most victims may not want to live in such locations.
After a resident of Kodangeri — Abdulla Haji — volunteered to donate two acres of land for rehabilitation, the authorities said they would construct houses on private land in other places too if landowners were willing to donate them. While appreciating Mr. Haji’s gesture, Assistant Commissioner Jaware Gowda said several houses in Kodangeri, which lies close to the Cauvery river, were devastated in the deluge. “The government is ready to construct houses even on private land for flood victims if the land is suitable and is donated for the purpose. On one acre, we can build about 20 houses.”
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Mr. Gowda said that efforts were also being made to get encroached government land cleared for the construction of houses for flood victims.