Known as one of the settlements in the Nilgiris that face some of the strongest winds, especially in June, July and August, New Attuboil in Emerald now sees its residents fortifying their houses against the blustery conditions that threaten to damage their dwellings.
Residents said that more than 80 families have been residing in the village since 1981, when they were asked to move from their original area, which was found to be located on land belonging to the Tangedco.
However, soon after they moved to New Attuboil, the residents learned that the strong winds, coupled with heavy rainfall, especially during the southwest monsoon, were leading to their houses sustaining tremendous damage from rock and debris.
M. Sivannan, a farmer and resident of the village, said that the winds are so strong during the three months of the year that rocks and debris would crash through their doors and windows with great frequency, while roof tiles would also get constantly blown off, posing a danger to local residents.
Sandbags
“To cope, all the houses in the village have reinforced their glass windows with steel shutters, which they close when the winds start every year,” he said, while adding that people also weigh down their roofs with sandbags and ballast to stop the shingles from being blown off by the winds.
“Many people also build high walls around their house, or sink the structure itself into the ground, so that only the top of the buildings are exposed to the extreme winds,” said another resident J. Arjunan.
The front doors of the houses too are reinforced with steel shutters, with residents explaining that over the years, they used to have to replace their doors every two years due to wind and rain damage. “There are times when the winds become so strong that we are locked into our own homes, and cannot get the doors opened, so in order to get around this problem, many residents have installed doors which open inwards,” said another resident.