Wayanad: Chooralmala and Mundakkai, which witnessed a devastating landslide in July, used to celebrate Christmas with all its gaiety every year. Carol groups trekked the hills singing festive songs, and churches remained open at night, spreading divinity all around.

This year, however, these regions present a stark contrast. Devotees in Chooralmala and Mundakkai are in no mood to celebrate, having lost many of their loved ones to the disaster.

Before the tragedy struck, 41 families lived in the area under the Chooralmala St Sebastian’s Church, and they organised grand celebrations every Christmas. There were events such as Margamkali, a carol singing contest and the arranging of the cribs. However, carols have not even been taken out this year. The only sign of Christmas is the presence of stars in front of a few houses.

Chooralmala residents who survived the landslide have yet to fully recover from the disaster. Therefore, they have decided to restrict their Christmas celebrations to prayers in the church.

Meanwhile, the CSI Church at Mundakkai still remains closed. Even though the landslide spared the church, it claimed the lives of a large number of devotees who prayed there regularly. The people who escaped but lost their relatives and friends shifted elsewhere.

CSI Church also had sermons in Tamil, considering the significant presence of devotees speaking the language in the area. It was in the church that many sought refuge when the landslide struck. Among the 30-odd families under the CSI Church, only a few survived.

Christmas celebrations were a big affair at CSI Church. But, this year, the church stands deserted, covered with dust and cobwebs. The believers who used to visit the church pray at the CSI Church at Meppadi these days.

Offering some solace to the landslide-affected people during this year’s Christmas, voluntary organisations, individuals and religious groups have distributed cakes and essential items to them, irrespective of their religion or caste. People who lost their homes currently live in rented houses, wondering when they could celebrate Christmas in their own houses again.

Meanwhile, fear prevails in the minds of the survivors even five months after the tragedy. The plantation workers have been unable to resume work and survive on the aid provided by other people. Due to the landslides, they were unable to celebrate Onam this year, and now Christmas is passing quietly without any festivities.

On Christmas day this year, survivors of the tragedy pray for relief from their pains and a new life filled with happiness.