Idukki: A major landslide occurred at Dhalam near Pethotti in Santhanpara here at 9 pm on Sunday. A 59-year-old man died at Cheriyar in Santhanpara Panchayat after a wall of the house he was staying caved in the landslip on Sunday night.The deceased is Roy, a resident of Thangappanpara.
Cheriyar ward member Nithya Selin told Onmanorama that the deceased was staying alone in the house meant for workers and he was seen in Cheriyar City around 8 pm on Sunday. “There was a heavy downpour at 10 pm and there were signs of a landslide in the area when we inspected the house around 6.45 am on Monday. We broke open the door and found him lying crushed under a pile of bricks. By 8.30 am, he was taken out from the rubble with the help of police and fire and rescue service personnel. His body has been shifted to Adimaly Taluk Hospital,” Selin said.
According to local residents, the landslide in Dhalam happened with an ear-splitting sound, and heavy water currents are still occurring in the area where the landslide occurred. Two houses were damaged in the landslide, and inmates have been moved to safe areas.
Santhanpara Panchayat president Liju Varghese said that a house has been isolated due to the landslide, and there has been no report of any persons missing or casualties as yet from these areas. "Santhanpara Police and Emergency Response Team of Santhanpara Panchayat are conducting rescue operations,” he said. Two units of the Fire and Rescue team from Munnar reached Santhanpara by 11 pm for rescue operation.
Santhanpara police said the connecting road between Santhanpara and Mathikettan Shola caved in following the landlisde. At Pethotti water is gushing across the road, they said. Several electric posts were uprooted interrupting the power supply in the region. Police also said two minor landslip were also reported from two other places.
Pethotti ward member Rajeswari Kalimuthu said heavy currents were seen in the flowing by the post office in her ward. “I visited the spot where the landslide occurred, and such a calamity has not occurred in the region till now. Luckily, no one went missing or was injured. Some of the interstate workers have been shifted to the panchayat community hall,” she added.
A huge tree has fallen on the road, blocking traffic on Poopara-Bodumettu Road at Choondal. Meanwhile, six youths were rescued by cops after a mound of earth and a tree fell on the Maruti 800 car at Chathuragapara in Udumbanchola. There has been heavy rain in the Santhapara region in the afternoon for the past three days.
