A major landslide occurred on Saturday night near Ettumuri on the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway in Adimali, Idukki. The landslip buried parts of three houses in the Laksham Veedu tribal settlement, trapping a couple, Biju and his wife Sandhya, inside their home.
Police, Fire and Rescue Services teams, and local residents are currently conducting rescue operations, using earthmovers to clear the debris. Officials have confirmed that Biju is in contact with the rescuers by phone, and both he and his wife are safe and not in immediate danger. However, the heavy mud around the house is blocking their exit.
The landslide was triggered by a large crack that had formed earlier on the slope above the settlement, which eventually collapsed. As a precaution, authorities had already moved 22 families to a relief camp at Adimali GHSS. Biju’s family, however, was among those who had chosen not to evacuate, and their house was the one struck by the landslip.
Sandhya, who was caught in the landslide accident near Adimali, Idukki, during National Highway construction, has suffered severe injuries to her leg. Sandhya was rescued after a six-hour-long operation from underneath the debris of her house.
Initially, Sandhya was taken to the Taluk Hospital in Adimali, but she was later shifted to Rajagiri Hospital in Ernakulam for specialized treatment. Sandhya’s brother stated that the blood flow to her leg has stopped. He confirmed that the injury is only to her leg and that he spoke to her, to which she only responded, “I am fine.”
Dr. Pradeep mentioned that there is no pulse in Sandhya’s left leg. He suspects that a rupture in the blood vessel may be the cause for the lack of a pulse. If a blood vessel rupture has occurred, surgery must be performed within seven hours. The doctor also stated that a CT scan is being taken to assess the current condition and noted that her blood pressure is low and her heart rate is elevated. Primary examination suggests that she has no serious injuries above her waist, and the doctor informed that there is no need for panic.
The accident occurred around 10:30 PM last night. The rescue operation, which lasted for about six hours, finally pulled out Biju and his wife Sandhya. Biju and Sandhya were trapped under concrete slabs. Their legs were intertwined, and the building’s beam had collapsed on top of them. While Biju was also pulled out, his life could not be saved.
(With input from TNIE & Malayalam news)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
