Tragedy struck Mannamkandam in Adimali, Kerala, as a devastating mudslide buried at least eight homes, resulting in the death of a 48-year-old man and severe injuries to his wife. The incident happened on Saturday night, shortly after residents in the area had been relocated to relief camps due to the immediate risk of a mudslide.
The deceased has been identified as Biju of Lakshamveedu Unnathi. According to local reports, the mudslide was triggered by ongoing widening work on National Highway 85, which involved the removal of mud from a hilly area. The residential colony was situated on the slope below the highway. Despite panchayat officials issuing evacuation notices and shifting 22 families to relief camps on Saturday evening, Biju and his wife Sandhya had returned to their home to prepare food when the disaster struck around 10:30 PM.
The mudslide caused significant destruction, flattening eight houses. Biju and Sandhya were trapped in the debris, and it took a five-hour rescue operation by the police and fire services to extricate them. While Sandhya survived and is reported to be in stable condition after being transferred to a hospital in Aluva, Biju tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Residents have voiced concerns about the safety measures taken during the highway expansion project, alleging that the work was carried out unscientifically, without adequate precautions for the hilly terrain. Some residents had also reported noticing major cracks in the hillside before the incident and had alerted local authorities.
The family of the deceased, Biju, shared that his son had passed away last year, and his daughter is currently pursuing nursing studies in Kottayam. Adimali police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.