Idukki: At least four persons are feared killed and many are feared trapped after a massive landslide at Rajamalai in Idukki district, Kerala, on Friday. Officials said the area is hard to reach due to torrential rains for the past four days.
A Kerala official said that details of the incident are awaited, with initial reports indicating four casualties. “The initial reports indicate that four persons are reported dead. We are on our way to the spot,” said Munnar revenue official Madhu.
State Power Minister M.M. Mani, who hails from the district, said the landslide had occurred at a place where tea estate workers were staying. He said the details are awaited as the terrain is very tough at the spot. “The place is at the top of a hill. We are awaiting a response; the local legislator is also going to the spot. All emergency services have been pressed into service,” Mani said.
Meanwhile, area resident Parthasarathy told the media that he was aware of three rows of houses inhabited by around 80 tea estate workers and their families. “But we do not know how many were there when the landslide occurred. I feel that many of the workers were at their homes due to heavy rain in the past few days. Moreover, communication with the area too has snapped, including electricity supply,” said Parthasarathy.
Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekheran said that he is in touch with the Idukki revenue officials and that all emergency rescue teams are on their way to the spot. “A landslide occurred in Rajamala today. So far, 10 people have been rescued. The landslide occurred at a place where tea plantation workers reside. We don’t know the exact numbers yet, but at least three families are stranded there,” said Idukki SP.
On Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Wayanad and Idukki, warning of very heavy rainfall in the coming three days in these districts.
With the heavy rains these districts received in the past two days, the authorities have been on a high alert and have taken the precaution of moving people who live in areas where landslides and landslips are expected and those living on river banks have also been moved to safer places.
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