Landslip destroys house near Adimaly; five families moved to relief camp

A major landslip at Pazhampillichal, near Adimaly in Idukki district, destroyed a house and inundated three neighbouring homes on Sunday night, prompting authorities to open a relief camp and relocate five families.

Residents said the landslip struck around 7.45 p.m., washing away the house of Cheradiyil Saji. No one was inside at the time. Debris swept into three nearby houses, whose occupants escaped narrowly. An autorickshaw and five two-wheelers were buried under the debris.

Residents noted that the landslip occurred very close to the site of a landslip on July 21, 1997, which had claimed 13 lives.

Revenue department officials set up a relief camp at the Pazhampillichal Government Lower Primary School, where five families have been moved. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob, who holds charge of Idukki district, visited the affected area to review the situation.

Separately, the bodies of Balakrishnan and his sister Chinnu, who were killed in a mudslide at Kottakkamboor on Sunday evening, were cremated on Monday. Post-mortem examinations were conducted at the Adimaly Taluk Hospital. Balakrishnan's wife, Mariyamma, who was injured, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Munnar.

The Minister paid his last respects to the deceased at the hospital. A delegation including District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt, Devikulam MLA F. Raja and Deputy Collector Binu Joseph attended the funeral.

After a review meeting at Adimaly, the Minister said initial financial assistance had been handed over to the families of the deceased and that a broader compensation package for affected residents would be announced soon.

"The government will rehabilitate the families from the landslip-hit area at Pazhampillichal. The District Collector has been directed to assess whether the area is safe for habitation and submit a report. Based on that report, the government will take further action," Mr. Jacob said.

He urged the public to avoid non-essential travel to hilly areas in view of forecasts of heavy rainfall and landslips. "The government will take steps to ensure the development of Vattavada and Kottakkamboor villages, as well as the Munnar area. This matter will be raised before the Cabinet," he added.

A team led by the District Collector and the Devikulam MLA inspected the Chaklinoda bridge, which connects Kottakkamboor to Thattampara village in Vattavada. The bridge was washed away by flash floods, leaving the village's residents isolated. The MLA said the bridge would be reconstructed soon.