Rain triggers landslip at Panakkad in Kerala’s Malappuram; highway blocked

Continuous rain over the past three days triggered a landslip at Panakkad near Malappuram, Kerala, on Monday, sending a portion of a hill onto the Nadukani-Parappanangadi highway between Edayapalam and Karathodu. Traffic along the road was disrupted.

The hill had been shedding loose soil since Sunday morning, prompting authorities to close the highway before the slope gave way. Earth, rocks and trees tumbled onto the road and into the swollen Kadalundipuzha on the other side.

A second landslip occurred on Monday morning while the police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel were at the site. No one was injured.

Traffic on the Malappuram-Vengara route was suspended, with vehicles diverted via Konompara.

The landslip occurred about 150 metres from Straight Path International School, Panakkad. Authorities declared the area vulnerable and warned of further slope failures.

Residents said a landslip had occurred at the same location in 2019. They alleged that illegal and unscientific hill cutting for a proposed shopping complex had destabilised the slope.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel and the police were engaged in clearing mud and debris to restore traffic.