Housing sector recovery trajectories after the 2021 landslides in Kerala, India

Tackling homelessness is a critical priority after disasters especially in the Western Ghats of India, where landslides are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. This situation has rendered recovery in the housing sector more essential than ever. The present study specifically aims at investigating the recovery in this sector among households impacted by the 2021 landslides in Kerala, India, using Recovery Trajectory Index (RTI). It shows how the dynamic interplay between initial severity of impacts and subsequent delays in reconstruction together can shape the changing recovery status of households. Focusing on four critically impacted wards under the jurisdiction of Koottickal, a village level local government body, the research aims at understanding the current trajectory of recovery efforts. The highest RTI value refers to a slower recovery pace, and the lowest value signifies a faster pace. The index calculation is intended to contribute to prevailing quantitative recovery assessment frameworks for the identification of spatial and household-level disparities in recovery performance in similar hazard-prone contexts. The results highlight the need to prioritize equity in resource allocation, promote inter-agency collaboration to ease financial strain, and maintain a detailed household recovery database. Incorporating these measures would enhance preparedness and support more efficient, inclusive recovery planning.