Planning vacation in and around Kerala's Munnar? Be cautious on these roads in Idukki

Munnar is Idukki's most famous tourist spot, but this Kerala district has many beautiful locations that travel junkies love. In the monsoon season, Idukki turns into a haven of beautiful waterfalls and lush green trekking spots as well. That said, travelling in Idukki during the monsoon does have its risk factors as landslides and mudflows are common here around the time. While some mishaps happen naturally due to the unique geographical features of Idukki, others turn out to be ‘man-made’ disasters occurring because of the unlawful constructions that were done without understanding its terrain. There are countless projects and roads approved by various bodies, including local self–government, state government and even the central government, that have been built without properly studying the land. These roads are built by cutting the hills deep or shaving off slopes. Mudflows often happen on these roads, causing accidents or blocking traffic for days. These are some of the roads in Idukki where landslips have become a common phenomenon.

Between Pallivasal and Devikulam
Mudflows or landslides have been reported in various places in Munnar since the rains began. Landslips happened in 14 spots between the headworks dam and the regional office, in the Kochi – Danushkodi national highway. Besides, many small and big mud slips occurred at various places between the police station and the signal point. A week ago, two heavy boulders had fallen on the road near the heavy works dam. This had happened as the hills were extensively chopped off to widen the national highway. Those who travel between Pallivasal and Devikulam should be cautious as there are chances of landslides here.

KK Road, where danger lurks
A fairly heavy rain could cause mudflows on KK Road; besides, huge trees and rocks too may fall on the road from atop the hills. The 37 kilometre stretch between the 35^th Mile and Vandiperiyar in the Kottayam – Kumily road has many sharp curves and steep ascents and descents. Suspending traffic has become common in areas like Amalagiri, Pullupara, Kaduvapara, Kuttikanam and Mathai Kokka during the monsoon. A few days ago, the retaining wall was washed away in the mudslide at Mathai Kokka Road. Meanwhile, geologists have found that huge rocks were separated from the earth, on the hilltop, in areas between Valanjanganam and Amalagiri. If the rain continues, these rocks may pose threat to the vehicles on the road.

Thodupuzha – Puliyanmala state highway
The huge trees on the side of the Thodupuzha – Puliyanmala state highway, between Kulamavu and Cheruthoni, may be dangerous to the passengers. During monsoon, uprooted trees often block traffic on this road that runs through the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. Moreover, this area is prone to landslides too. The authorities ban traffic on this road at night when it rains heavily. Danger lurks on the Adimali – Kumily road too, which is one of the main roads in the high range, during the monsoons. Meanwhile, huge trees and giant boulders on one side of the road from Pambla to Kattapana pose danger. During the deluge in 2018, traffic was completely halted on this road after trees and rocks fell from the hilltop along with a large mass of earth. Huge trees on both sides of the road between Neriamangalam and Pambla too may be dangerous. The forest areas in these regions are prone to landslides.

Punalur – Muvattupuzha road
Huge boulders and rocks in the Choorapetta area in the Thodupuzha – Pala road, which is part of the Punalur – Muvattupuzha state highway are quite precarious. These groups of rocks were formed on the roadside after the earth was moved to flatten the steep ascent here, during the construction. There are lots of heavy rocks that may be loose and are on the verge of falling onto the road at any time. As the 200 metre stretch of the road isn’t generally crowded, people often stop the vehicles here to eat food or to rest. Vehicles are seen parked here at night or when there is heavy rain. Streams are formed atop the hills during monsoon and the rainwater flows down the rocks. People in the locality say that mud, rocks or trees too may come down along with the rainwater.

Nadukani area
Travelling through Nadukani during monsoon may not be safe as this area is prone to landslides. The road near the Nadukani Tribal Arts and Science College is in a dangerous state after the mudslide that occurred last month. Besides, the retaining wall of the Thodupuzha – Puliyanmala state highway was destroyed. More incidents of mud flows may occur and traffic may be disrupted here when the rains get heavier. Last month, landslides were reported in many spots between the 10^th curve and Nadukani. Even though the car was completely buried under mud, the passengers were safe as they managed to run out of the vehicle as soon as they spotted mud flowing down the slopes. The authorities managed to resume traffic by clearing the road, but they haven’t been able to build a retaining wall here to avoid such mishaps.

Kattapana – Chapath route
Two weeks ago, traffic got hit at two spots where construction of the hill highway is progressing, in the Kattapana – Chapath route. Incidents of mudslides were reported near Vellilamkandam as well as at Swaraj Periyon Kavala. Besides, a bus slipped and went off the road while passing through the slippery road filled with rainwater and sludge. The residents say that the authorities have turned a deaf ear to their demand to build retaining walls along the hill slopes. They complain that building short walls only at certain spots won’t be enough to provide safety.