Nedunkandam, Kattappana, Cheruthoni: The month-long deluge has left behind a trail of destruction in the hilly areas of Kerala. In many areas, the people were surprised to see the topography of their land altered beyond recognition. Hills have slid, valleys have been formed and streams have changed course.
Most worrying phenomenon is the developing of cracks on land in Nedunkandam, Adimali, Kattappana and Mankulam areas. The Kochi-Dhanushkodi national highway has also cracked up near Iruttukanam in Idukki.
Devastating landslides
A two-kilometre long crack on earth has the people on edge at Mavadi, which has suffered at least 15 landslides this season. Crop loss has been reported in over 30 acres of land.
The cracking up was followed by landslides at Mavadi, Karithode, Ponnamala, Indira Nagar, Kalakkad, Puthuval and Kailasam. A landslide was reported from Mavadi as late as 4.30 pm on Monday. Loads of mud along with trees were piled on to the Kailasam-Mavadi-Nedunkandam road.
Thousands of families who live in the area have not breathed easy even after the rain stopped. They want geologists to inspect the crack and give them a reassuring explanation. Many of the people in the area have been shifted to a relief camp as the threat of more landslides persists.
The crack runs through farm lands. The farmers said that the earth has sunken in some places close to the crack.
Devoured house
A house at Pallippadi near Mavadi has caved in due to the crack. Thenamakkal Appachan’s house is slowly sliding into the fissure. The ground floor has moved completely underground. The earth has sunken about 15 feet at Kuzhikombu.
Appachan’s house is not the only one affected. Many of the mud walls in the areas are crumbling away.
People’s representative elected to the Nedunkandam panchayat has called for geologists to visit the area and and find out the reason for the spooky phenomenon.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has promised to inspect the crack after a report from Udumbanchola tehsildar P S Bhanukumar.
The menacing dam
The crack is all the more scary because it has developed close to a check dam at Kamakshipuram. Some of the people allege that the earth has caved in because of the construction of the dam.
Experts and firemen have already inspected the check dam built by a cardamom planter after reports warned about the serious situation in the area.
The check dam’s shutters have jammed due to the crack and the cave-in. Local residents said that the dam has also been cracked and the water leaking.
The issue was part of the agenda of a disaster assessment meeting of the local panchayat. The dam has only one valve to drain out water. The firemen has told the owner of the check dam to pump out more water to decrease pressure on the reservoir.
More cracks
Similar cracks were reported from adjacent areas in Kattappana and Kanjikkuzhi. Many cracks have developed in Vathikudi, Irattayar, Pampadumpara and Nedumkandam panchayats.
The fissures run through roads, farm lands and even houses. The people report that the cracks are widening by the day. Houses near Idinjamala have become too risky to live in after cracks developed at Naluthoonu, Periyar Valley, Rajapuram, Kochukamakshi, Mavadi and Valiyathovala.
Transport has ground to a halt after many of the rural roads were cracked up. It might take up to weeks to get the roads back in shape.
Vast stretches between Thallakkanam and Keerithode in the Kanjijkuzhi panchayat were also cracked up at various places. Even buildings have been cracked under pressure. The cracks appear in flat areas and slightly inclined terrains. Experts are of the opinion that the cracks could be related to heavy rains or subterranean movements caused by landslides.
Geologists have inspected the areas. Most of the people in the area are still put up in relief camps. Areas near Vazhathopp, Kanjikunzhi, Vathikudi and Mariyapuram. Three people have died in landslide in Kanjikuzhi. Six people have died in Vazhathopp. In Vathikudi, two people have died and two gone missing. One person died in Mariyapuram while three have gone missing.
Persisting fears
People in Konnathadi near Adimali are also living in fear of more catastrophes. Areas including Ponmudi, Purayidam City, Thomman City, Kaka City, Kudiyirikkunnu, Konnathadi, Pullukandam, Parathode, Muniyara, Muthirappuzha, Anjam Mile, Kambi Line, Kallarkutti, Kurisukuthi, Perinjankutti, Chinnar, Mankuva, Injathotti, Panamkutti, Pipe Line, S Valavu, Panniyarkutti, Palli City, Mangappara, Kombodinjal, Panikkankudi, Mullirikkudi and Kailasam are vulnerable to more landslides.
Many houses in these areas were destroyed in landslides. Some farm lands have cracked up up to one kilometre. The Konnathadi area near the Ponmudi dam bears a long scary fissure. Similar cracks have developed in the Pullukandam area and near the Vallakkadavu Junction at Muthirappuzha.
Under the dam
The Eettithopp, Bethel, Mele Chinnar and Peringamkutti areas by the Irattayar dam were the most affected when the reservoir was released for the first time. Most of the houses and farms in the areas were flooded by the released water.
The flooding was aggravated by the simultaneous release of water from the Kallar dam. The houses in the area have been silted with mud and debris. Many of the houses could cave in any moment.
