Focus on landslide-prone areas in Ernakulam as monsoon gains strength

With the southwest monsoon gaining strength gradually, the district administration has switched to caution mode in areas identified as vulnerable to landslides or landslips. Special attention is being paid to certain sloppy locations in Kothamangalam taluk, while a mitigation plan has been put in place for vulnerable spots across the district, officials with the disaster management authority said.

The locations identified as susceptible to potential landslides or landslips include Sathrappady near Kuttampuzha, Velloorkunnam near Muvattupuzha, and Keelerimala in Kanayannur taluk, officials said. Besides, various spots in Ayyampuzha in Aluva taluk as well as Neriyamangalam in Kothamangalam have been marked among the vulnerable locations.

“There are some 14 families living in Sathrappady who can be relocated to another place, while a few of the 13 families have already been shifted from Keelerimala. Though there are some landslide-prone spots in and around Ayyampuzha, there are no residents there. At Velloorkkunnam also, there are no families, but only some shops,” an official said.

The vulnerable spots were marked from lists prepared by tehsildars and secretaries of local bodies based on the previous history and topography of the locations.

Officials said the disaster management plan focusses on evacuation of affected residents well in advance in case of an adverse situation.

“Tehsildars have been instructed to issue evacuation notice if rain persists for two days or in a dangerous manner in vulnerable locations. In each ward within the vulnerable areas, two buildings that can be used as relief camps have already been identified. The respective village officers have been advised to keep keys of the buildings to manage emergency situations,” an official said.

District Disaster Management Authority officials said no major monsoon-related incident had been reported in the district yet this season. The authorities had activated taluk emergency operation centres in all seven taluks in the district ahead of the onset of the monsoon.