Disaster within a disaster: Social vulnerability of Muthuvan

tribes in times of floods

Ashique Vadakkuveettila*, Leo Georgeb, Ashish Kumarc, Sandip Mondald,
Dinabandhu Mahatae
a,b,c,d,e Department of Geography, Central University of Tamilnadu.

Abstract: There has been much appreciation all over the world applauding the Kerala model
flood rescue, undertaken by the government as well as locals in Kerala, for their overarching
methods of disaster management. In a dire situation where almost, the entire population was
adversely affected, it is believed that the state machinery along with the people stood together
beyond differences and discrimination. But the ground reality does not seem to be as Utopian
as it sounds. The levels of destruction have varied across regions, communities and classes.
The marginalized society of the Muthuvan tribes of Kerala, who are subjected to the socio-
economic discrimination for a long time had to face double vulnerability in times of disaster
and in post disaster aids. This is due to a number of issues like existing social discrimination,
lack of knowledge about information technologies, Isolated location, limited social network
etc. An exploratory study has been done through qualitative research to locate these problems.
This paper intends to shed light on the necessity to create awareness among government, local
bodies and communities to give special attention and consideration to the marginalized
societies like the Muthuvan tribes in times of any kind of disaster so that more resilient
strategies can be thought of and applied in future.
Keywords: Vulnerability, Muthuvan tribe, Kerala Flood, Marginalisation

Introduction
Kerala witnessed one of its worst catastrophic flood of recent years in 2018.
According to latest reports of the state government of Kerala, floods and landslides affected
5.4 million people, displaced 1.4 million people, and took 433 lives (22 May–29 August 2018).
Majority of the population severely got affected in that period. But the timely rescue work by
the government and people altogether was incredible. Even though some of the marginalized
people in Kerala had to face double vulnerability in times of flood. Social vulnerability means
the inherent instability and sensitivity of social systems to issues such as poverty, inequality,
marginalization, social deprivation and social exclusion (Cutter & Finch, 2008). However, it is
also important to note that a focus limited to the stresses associated with a particular
vulnerability analysis is also insufficient for understanding the impact on and responses of the
affected system or its components (Mileti, 1999; Kaperson et al., 2003; White & Haas, 1974).
Muthuvans are one among those marginalized people in Kerala who had faced
social vulnerability in times of flood. The Muthuvans prefer to live a secluded life, separated
from the mainstream land. They have their own system that takes care of the administration
and functions of kudy. They avail things for their survival from the forest which include raw
1|Disaster within a disaster: Social vulnerability of
Muthuvan tribes in times of floods
materials for the house construction, food and medicine. Therefore, they hardly have to go out
to the mainstream society.
According to Lokur Committee report Scheduled Tribes are as follows: indications
of primitive traits, distinctive culture, shyness of contact with the community, a stagnant or
declining population, extremely low literacy, and a subsistence level of economy (Joshi, 2004).
According to the 2001 Census, the population of Scheduled Tribes in the country is 8.43 crores,
which is 8.2% of the total population of the country. The sex ratio of the total ST population is
1021, and it is significantly higher than that of the national average (978) for the total ST
(Census 2001). In the context of Muthuvans, the sex ratio is 976, and the sex ratio among
children below 6 years of age is 943. The education level of Muthuvans is very low in
comparison with the other tribal groups of Kerala.
Literature Review
Tribal people are most marginalized and deprived groups in the society today. They
are heterogeneous group marked by differences in ethnicity languages, cultural believe and
practices and regional localities, Muthuvans are the least educated tribes of Kerala. social
vulnerability refers to “the characteristics of a person or group and their situation that influence
their capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist, or recover from the impact of a hazard” (Wisner
et al., 2004).
Social vulnerability is most apparent after a hazard event has occurred, when
different patterns of suffering and recovery are observed among certain groups in the
population, e.g., the aged, the poor, minorities, tribes (Cutter et al., 2000; Heinz centre, 2000;
Cutter & Finch, 2003; Warner, 2007).
Such groups may not only be least prepared for an emergency but also may often
live in more hazardous locations, in substandard housing, have the fewest resources, and lack
knowledge and/or sense of political efficacy to claim access to resources to assist in recovery
(National Research Council 2006, p. 73).
Social Vulnerability Analysis (SVA) describes the relationship between social
characteristics and vulnerability to hazards (better documenting who is at risk) and the
distribution of tangible and intangible hazard effects (primarily focusing on impacts described
in the Other Social Effects account.
Hazard exposure is fundamental to vulnerability, since people can only be
vulnerable in relation to a specific impact or set of impacts (Kelly and Adger, 2000).
It is ultimately concerned with people’s locations and activities relative to harmful
environmental processes or events. As such, social scientists often assume that exposure is a
matter for physical scientists, involving technical assessments of magnitudes, frequencies,
probabilities and other hazard characteristics (Dow, 1992).

Research Methodology
This work is an exploratory research which utilized qualitative research approach
to collect data regarding the Kerala flood 2018. In the initial stage of research work, the
researcher had met journalists, people working in relief camps and NGOs, etc. The Researcher
tried to maintain a strong bond with all these people for data collection as well as for creating
a strong network for further studies. The target population of this research was Muthuvan tribes
of Odakkayam, a place in Oringattiri village of Malappuram district. It was a news report that
brought the social vulnerability of Muthuvan tribe in limelight. The researcher telephoned that
journalist to know the precise location of Muthuvan tribes and to acquire information about
2|Disaster within a disaster: Social vulnerability of
Muthuvan tribes in times of floods
them in detail. Later along with one NGO the researcher went to their place to give relief
materials for flood (fig.2,3&4). During this time of relief work a strong relationship has been
made with the people to know more about their problems. Only very less studies have been
done previously about the social vulnerability of any kind of tribal people in Kerala during
floods. Narrative approach has been used to understand the living conditions of Muthuvan
tribes and their post flood conditions. Other locals are also been interviewed to understand
more about the study area. Interviews were done during the relief work and surprisingly most
of the people were willing to give the interview without any hesitation.
Limitation of the research includes the minimal number of target population for the
study. But it could not be sidestepped as there was only very few people in that area. Still this
research can be expanded to a larger study area by choosing other marginalized people for
better understanding of social vulnerability faced by marginalized people during disasters in
Kerala.
Findings and Discussion
1. There are about 30 Muthuvans in the remote area of Odakkayam in the
Oringattiri village of Malappuram district in Kerala (fig.1). It’s a hilly area
and densely forested. Hence, the accessibility to this area is very limited.
The conditions were even worse after the landslide and flood got strike.
Those families in the far end areas were the severely affected people. They

(fig.1) – Study Area

3|Disaster within a disaster: Social vulnerability of

Muthuvan tribes in times of floods
 need to walk a long distance to get daily stuffs. During the flood,
government opened relief centres in government schools and also
provided accommodation facilities there. But most of the tribal
people were not willing to go there because they find it difficult to
mingle with the local people. So most of them didn’t stay there and
didn’t collect relief materials. Because of the remoteness of their
location even NGOs and other organizations couldn’t do much
relief works there.
There was an old
lady of age 93 named
Nottiyamma, who
was living in
complete poverty.
Many parts over
there had landslides.
(fig.2) People were living in
(fig.3)
fear expecting landslide any
time. Majority of the population in Kerala followed updates associated with
flood through social media only, which was lacking
in tribal areas. Deficiency of information technology
delayed getting disaster warnings and other updates
to the far-flung areas of tribal people. And their
shyness for being in contact with other locals kept
them away from getting various aids from
government, NGOs and other organisations. And they
said they feel like they are neglected by the
(fig.4) community. They said some aids are provided for
them but they need to walk a long way to collect it. These people are very
prone to landslides as their settlements are situated on hill sides. Because
of the marginalization their living conditions are so pathetic, and it becomes
even worse and more vulnerable during disasters.
Conclusion
The marginalized society of the Muthuvan tribes of Kerala, who are subjected to the socio-
economic discrimination had to face two times extreme level of vulnerability in times of
disaster and in post disaster aids. The reasons for this was social discrimination, lack of
knowledge about information technologies, Isolated location, etc. Being a secluded, separated
and most uneducated tribe, they lack the information to access the basic vital needs during
these difficult situations.
These tribes were expected to get proper facilities according to their needs and
situations but they are socially challenged which made it difficult for them to ask for the help.
So, the government should give special attention to them through more resilient strategies in
the future.

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Muthuvan tribes in times of floods
Acknowledgement
The author is thankful to all the respondents especially the Muthuvans in
Odakkayam, for their kind cooperation throughout the research. The author extends his sincere
thanks to all the professors of Department of Geography, Central University of Tamilnadu, for
their kind cooperation and advice. He extends his deep gratitude to Journalist Shareef from
Siraj Newspaper who gave all the initial information for the research. He is also thankful to his
friend Aisha Wani who gave precise advice to strengthen the quality of the research.

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