Images of the caving mountain still haunts tea plantation worker Gopalan, who had miraculous escape from the Puthumala landslide in Wayanad district on Thursday.
"Luck was by my side," he told Manorama News TV on Friday. "I saw an entire mountain caving in," he said.
Puthumala - that lies 20km north east of Wayanad district headquarters Kalpetta - witnessed the deadliest landslide on Thursday evening. The debris from the top of the hill and huge rocks fell on a temple, mosque, homes and few vehicles. Around 40 people were suspected to have trapped under the debris.
Puthumala is home to hundreds of tea plantation workers. The landslide destructed more than 100 acres of tea plantation, owned by Harrissons Malayalam Limited. Company provided accommodation of plantation workers were also destroyed.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had termed the landslide as the 'deadliest in Kerala so far.' He said traffic disruptions and non-availability of equipment have been hampering rescue operations.
“We have requested the services of the Air Force. Currently, the rescue operations are being coordinated by the NDRF, Kerala Fire Force, Kerala Police and Kerala Forest Department. Shortage of equipment is hampering the rescue operation,” chief minister said.
Gopalan said he was returning home after buying candles from a nearby shop. "I was surprised when the electic cable fell on me. Then I started running towards the highland," he recounted.
When he looked down, Gopalan said, I saw an entire hill coming down. "I saw the tea plantation coming down alongwith the rocks. I asked my wife to move to the highland. She ran to safety. We are lucky to escape," he said.
