Four feared dead, at least 80 feared trapped in landslide in Munnar, Kerala

KOCHI: Four persons have died and more than 80 persons trapped in a massive landslide at Rajamala near Munnar in Idukki district of Kerala. Four bodies have been recovered and several injured persons have been admitted in the Tata High Range Hospitalin Munnar, according to regional media reports.

The mishap occurred in the Pettimudi plantation division of Kannan Devan Hill Plantations during the early hours of Friday. Since the Periyavare Bridge on the Munnar-Rajamala main road connecting Munnar to Udumalpet was washed off, accessing the accident site is difficult. Heavy rains and rough terrain also make rescue work challenging. Teams of the NDRF from Thrissur and Alappuzha have left for the site, reports added.

Eravikulam panchayat authorities told regional television channels that five layams (line houses) were completely swept away in the landslide and all the residents, most of them plantation workers, are missing.

With disruption in power supply and phone connectivity in the area for the last few days, authorities came to know about the landslide when the local residents escaped from the mishap informed them Friday morning.

PTI adds:Torrential rains pounded Pettimudi in Rajamala in Idukki district, triggering a landslide early Friday morning with several estate workers of a tea plantation trapped.At least 70 people are suspected to be trapped under soil, burying nearly 20 houses of plantation workers.

The India Meteorological Department has sounded a red alert in the region.

In Ernakulam district, as the water level in the Periyar river rose, the famous Shiva temple on the river bank has been almost submerged.

Shutters of various dams have also been opened causing water level in the Periyar river to rise.