Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
One person was killed and another injured after a landslip triggered by heavy rains buried a moving lorry near Munnar’s Botanical Garden late at night on July 26. The deceased, the driver of the vehicle, was identified as Ganeshan (58), a resident of Anthoniyar Nagar in Munnar.
The accident occurred around 10:00 pm near the old Government College on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway, between Devikulam and Munnar. According to Revenue Department officials, a major landslide caused a section of the hillside to collapse, sending mud and debris crashing down onto the road. The lorry, which was en route to Munnar from Devikulam, was pushed into a lower valley.
Ganeshan, who was trapped in the vehicle, was pulled out and rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. His body has been shifted to the Munnar Government Hospital for post-mortem. The vehicle’s helper, Murukan (50), also from Munnar, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.
Officials said a second major landslide occurred in the same area early July 27 morning, further damaging the already unstable hillside and disrupting traffic on the busy national highway.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued heavy rainfall across the region over the next five days. Winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph are expected over the weekend. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts from July 26 to July 30 due to rough conditions.