Idukki, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : Heavy rainfall in Idukki, Tamil Nadu, led to a tragic landslide on Sunday evening, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The incident occurred in the Kottakambur area of the Vattavada region after three hours of relentless rain.
The victims have been identified as Balakrishnan and his sister Chinnu, both residents of Kottakambur. Balakrishnan’s wife, Mariamma, was rescued but remains in critical condition. Local residents arrived at the scene before emergency teams, beginning the arduous task of clearing mud and debris.
Mariamma was promptly transported for emergency medical care, while rescue teams continued to search the affected area for any additional victims. Fire and rescue personnel from Munnar and police officers from Devikulam later joined the operation.
The persistent rain, unstable soil, and challenging terrain posed significant obstacles for rescue efforts. Authorities monitored the surrounding slopes closely due to fears of further landslides.
The landslide occurred following heavy rainfall that lasted approximately three hours, saturating the soil and making it prone to collapse. Police and disaster management officials are expected to assess the area and evaluate risks for nearby residents.
This incident highlights the ongoing threat of landslides during heavy rainfall in Idukki. The district has witnessed several deadly landslides in recent years, particularly in the high mountain ranges around Munnar. A catastrophic landslide on August 6, 2020, near Rajamala resulted in the recovery of 66 bodies, with four individuals reported missing and presumed dead, bringing the total fatalities to 70.
In October 2025, another landslide near Kumbanpara in Adimali buried several homes beneath the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway. A 48-year-old man named Biju was found dead after being rescued from the rubble, while his wife, Sandhya, was hospitalized. Multiple homes were damaged, and families in vulnerable areas were relocated to relief camps.
Officials have urged residents in potential landslide zones to remain vigilant and avoid unstable slopes due to ongoing heavy rainfall. Emergency teams are deployed in Kottakambur to complete search operations, secure the affected area, and prevent residents from entering hazardous zones.
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