Wayanad: Revenue Minister K Rajan on Thursday said the crack that caused the mudslide on the Thamarassery ghat road originated nearly 80 feet above the road. He was briefing the media after a high-level review meeting with the Kozhikode and Wayanad Collectors, Land Revenue Commissioner, and disaster management officials.

“The crack originated 80 feet above the ground. The rock has broken into columns. One block has already fallen, and a stream has formed through the crack. Unless there is a dry spell of at least two hours, we cannot examine if the crack has extended downward. Until then, heavy vehicles cannot be allowed,” Rajan said. He added that soil piping also needed to be checked before the road could be reopened. Fire and safety officials are stationed at the spot with monitoring equipment.

Meanwhile, the Kuttiadi ghat road was declared safe for travel and is expected to be motorable by Friday after emergency repair works.

A massive landslip struck the Wayanad Ghat Road near the 9th curve around 7 pm on Tuesday. Traffic came to a halt again on Thursday morning after a fresh mudslide was reported near the same stretch, close to the Lakkidi viewpoint. Clearing operations were disrupted when water and slush swept down the collapsed slope, forcing rescue teams and volunteers to retreat.

With recurring slides posing danger, debris removal was suspended in the evening. Vehicles stranded at Adivaram and Lakkidi were diverted via alternate routes, including the Kuttiadi ghat and the Nilambur–Nadukani road.

Wayanad District Collector D R Meghasree, who heads the District Disaster Management Authority, imposed prohibitory orders under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, exempting essential services like milk, newspapers, and fuel. Kozhikode Collector Snehil Kumar Singh also barred traffic through the ghat, urging the public to avoid non-essential travel.