Devastating Landslide Strikes Vellathooval
IDUKKI, KERALA – A night of relentless monsoon rain triggered a devastating tragedy in Kerala’s Idukki district, as a man died and his wife was seriously injured when a massive mudslide flattened their house in the early hours of Monday. The fatal incident occurred around 2:30 AM in the Vellathooval panchayat, a region on high alert due to the incessant downpour.
The victim has been identified as Santhosh (48). His wife, Lissy (42), was rescued from the debris with critical injuries and has been rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency medical care.
Desperate Rescue in Darkness and Rain
According to disaster management officials, a large mass of mud and rock cascaded down a hillside, completely destroying at least two houses, including the one where Santhosh and Lissy were asleep.
Local residents, awakened by a “deafening roar,” were the first to respond, initiating a frantic rescue effort in the pitch-black, rain-lashed conditions. “It was pitch black, and the rain was making the ground unstable. The entire house was buried under tonnes of mud,” said a local who joined the initial rescue.
Official Fire and Rescue Services personnel and the police soon arrived to lead a more organized search. Braving the treacherous terrain and the ongoing risk of further slips, teams worked for hours. Lissy was pulled from the rubble first, but tragically, Santhosh had already succumbed to his injuries by the time rescuers reached him.
IMD Warnings and a History of Disasters
This incident highlights the grave dangers faced by residents in Kerala’s ecologically fragile high ranges during the monsoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued an orange alert for Idukki, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall and warning of potential landslides.
The district, known for its steep slopes, has a tragic history of similar disasters. The memory of the catastrophic 2020 Pettimudi landslide, which claimed nearly 70 lives, remains a grim reminder of the region’s vulnerability.
Authorities Respond, Evacuations Underway
The Idukki District Collector and other senior officials have visited the site to oversee the relief operations. As a precautionary measure, families in adjacent homes have been evacuated to temporary relief camps while authorities assess the stability of the hillside. The state government is expected to announce financial assistance for the victim’s family.
As the rain continues, a palpable fear hangs over the community, with residents praying for a respite from the monsoon’s furious onslaught.
