Thodupuzha: Owing to incessant rain, landslides were reported in two places in Munnar. The landslip occurred near Kundala Dam and Munnar Echo Point.
In Kundala, debris fell on top of a tempo traveller carrying 11 tourists from Kozhikode. The vehicle fell about 100 feet from the road.
The driver of the traveller, Roopesh (40), of Vadakara, is believed to have been washed away with the vehicle. "The tempo traveller was part of a three-vehicle tour group from Vadakara. All other vehicles and passengers managed to escape but he is suspected to have been trapped inside the vehicle," said Munnar police.
Police said they have located the vehicle some 700 metres downhill, a region which is frequented by wild elephants.
Meanwhile, Idukki District Collector Sheeba George said the rescue operation has been halted for the night and will resume at 6 am on Sunday.
The operation was stopped due to a lack of light and heavy rains, she added. The incident caused a huge traffic snarl on Mattupetty Road.
The weatherman had issued an Orange alert for Idukki today and a Yellow alert for the next two days indicating heavy rains.
Meanwhile, Munnar is continuing to receive heavy rainfall.
Travel ban
Authorities have banned travel along the Munnar-Vattavada road following the landslide near Kundala Dam. The district collector has directed tourists and locals to exercise caution and avoid travel along the route.
