Experts link fatal mudslip to poor road stability measures in Idukki

A mudslip that claimed the life of a 47-year-old man and injured his wife, and damaged eight homes in the Laksham Veedu colony at Kumbanpara, near Adimaly, in Idukki on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway resulted from the cutting of slopes of the road without proper stability measures, according to experts.

According to geologists, soil condition plays a major role in triggering mudslips in these areas. “The lime-type soil in Devikulam taluk, especially in Adimaly and Munnar, suddenly absorbs water. Unscientific road-widening works on the Gap Road stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway and Kumbanpara in Adimaly resulted in a series of landslips and mudslips on the highway,” said a senior geologist.

K.S. Sajin Kumar, Assistant Professor at the Geology department of the University of Kerala, said that the field photographs of the affected area show that the soil is too soft. So when excavation is done on such soil, especially in large cuts with steep angles, mitigation measures like constructing benches and covering the exposed slopes with geotextile membranes (such as jute) are beneficial. During the rainy season, this soft soil tends to become fluidized easily, causing debris to be carried over long distances, as seen in this case. If the excavation had been done during the summer, even if the slopes collapsed, the absence of flowing water would have prevented the debris from travelling far,” said Dr. Kumar.

Meanwhile, Idukki District Collector Dinesan Cheruvat formed a special team to inspect the mudslip site on Monday. According to officials, the expert team will submit their primary report within two days and a detailed report within four days.

The Gap Road stretch has experienced nearly two dozen landslips over the past four years. Two major landslips occurred near the old Government College at Devikulam on the Munnar-Bodimettu stretch on July 26 and 27, 2025. A moving lorry was trapped under the debris, and the vehicle driver, Ganeshan, 58, a resident of Munnar Anthoniyar Nager, died, and helper Murukan, 50, sustained injuries. Following this, An expert team led by Dr. Kumar conducted a study on the stretch and found that the cutting of the slope for the road widening work on the Munnar-Bodimettu Highway was a significant factor contributing to the landslips near the old Government College at Devikulam.

Meanwhile, the State Human Rights Commission has registered a suo motu case over the mudslip tragedy at Kumabanpara. The commission has taken a suo motu case based on the media reports. SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas has directed the conduct of an expert study on the issue. The Idukki district collector should consider the chances of providing financial assistance to the affected family. The families in the threat-posing areas should be relocated. The district collector should submit a report before the commission within one month. They should appear before the commission sitting at Thodupuzha in December.”