Small landslides in Kozhikode district

October 03, 2009 08:52 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 09:37 am IST - Kozhikode:

A section of the pavement in Kozhikode crumbled after heavy rains on Friday. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

A section of the pavement in Kozhikode crumbled after heavy rains on Friday. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

The incessant rain that persisted for the third day on Saturday triggered several medium-scale landslides in the interior regions of the district, blocking roads, damaging houses and partially destroying agricultural fields.

A loss of agricultural crops amounting to Rs. 14 crore has been estimated by the district authorities from various places in the district. The water from the Kakkayam Dam was released by noon as the water level rose beyond control. Residents on the dam premises and catchments areas have been kept on high alert following the rising level of waters.

Several rivers in the district are swollen, posing serious threats to the residents on the banks.

Most number of mudslides took place at Thalayad near Thamarassery in the district, blocking several metres of road on the Thalayad-Kakkayam stretch at different places. More than 30 families have been relocated from these highly prone areas to a nearby Government LP School at Thalayad on Saturday, as threats of further landslides loomed large when the rain did not subside.

“There were landslides of low and medium magnitudes at more than 10 spots on the Kakkayam Road here,” said Sub Inspector Rajesh Kumar of Balussery station, who has camped at the site.

According to the local people of Thalayad, a major mudslide occurred by 3.30 a.m. in the morning, waking up several households and forcing them to run for safety. Residents said they were not being able to sleep through the night, as the relentless rain was ominous of an impending danger. “We heard a horrible sound by 3.30 in the morning and rushed out of home for safety,” said V.K. Parameshwaran, a resident of Thalayad, where a moderate landslide took place damaging houses and ruining several metres of road. Police and fire-force reached the spot immediately after the mishap.

Houses of four families have been damaged partially at Thalayad besides disrupting power supply and completely destroying the ‘Jalanidhi’ water supply system, which was inaugurated last year for the benefit of nearly hundred families. M.K. Raghavan, Kozhikode M.P, who visited the landslide site at Thalayad told The Hindu that the government should “ensure assistance” to the hapless people living at the disaster-prone areas. The government should take immediate measures to rehabilitate people from the affected and landslide-prone area, he said.

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