Idukki: One person died in a landslide that struck the Adimali area on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway in Kerala’s Idukki district late Saturday night. Biju, one of the couple trapped under a concrete slab after their house collapsed, succumbed to his injuries, while his wife, Sandhya, was rescued and taken to the hospital.
Biju and Sandhya, trapped in the landslide in Koombappara, were pulled out of the debris after a five-hour ordeal. Sandhya was the first to be rescued, suffering serious injuries, including to her leg. Minister Roshi Augustine, who arrived at the scene for the rescue, said she responded immediately when called and was experiencing breathing difficulties.
Sandhya was initially taken to the Adimali Taluk Hospital and later transferred to Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva for specialized treatment. After Sandhya was rescued, it took about an hour to rescue her husband, Biju. Two earthmovers were used to remove the debris from the collapsed house. Biju was pulled out. He was in critical condition at the time and later succumbed to his injuries.
The landslide occurred around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, when a section of a crack more than 50 feet high in a cliff collapsed onto the road and onto six houses below. Two houses were completely destroyed. Due to heavy rain warnings, about 25 families had already been sent to relief camps. Biju and his wife were among them, but at the time of the accident, they had returned home to collect important documents.
Cause of the Disaster and Local Residents’ Allegations
Local residents allege that the accident was caused by the unscientific leveling of a large hill and cutting a portion of it near their house in connection with the construction of the national highway. They claim that this unscientific excavation for road widening increased the risk of the accident. The accident occurred on a stretch of dangerous terrain near Koombanpara on the National Highway.
The couple was unable to escape due to mud surrounding their home. A power outage in the area hampered rescue efforts, but alternative arrangements were later made. Reports indicate that unscientific construction along the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway is causing landslides even during light rain.
Due to the threat of landslides, officials had already displaced approximately 25 families in the area. Adimali Panchayat Vice President Anas Ibrahim said the Panchayat had begun relocating the families since Saturday morning. Relocating 22 families just before the accident averted a major tragedy.
According to officials, the landslide occurred yesterday afternoon near a large crack in the ground above the Unnathi Colony. A landslide had occurred in the same area two days earlier, and another on Friday, creating a crater. Following this, 22 families were relocated to a school camp due to the threat of a landslide.
Accident due to violation of warnings: Minister
Kerala Minister Roshi Augustine, reacting to the deaths in the landslide, said that this unfortunate accident occurred due to violation of warnings. She explained that authorities had already warned of the possibility of landslides on the national highway. Consequently, residents of the homes in the area were relocated to a camp. However, the couple returned home from the relief camp. She said that they should have been cautious and not violated the warnings, but unfortunately, they returned home and became victims of the accident.
Minister Augustine personally advised everyone not to ignore warnings in dangerous situations. She stressed that it is impossible to fight nature and disaster, and everyone must remain vigilant.
