Thamarassery ghat road closed again after fresh mudslide
Vehicular movement on this stretch of NH 766 will remain restricted until further notice.
Vehicular movement on this stretch of NH 766 will remain restricted until further notice.
Vehicular movement on this stretch of NH 766 will remain restricted until further notice.
Wayanad: Traffic along the Thamarassery ghat road came to a standstill once again on Thursday after a fresh mudslide was reported near the 9th curve, close to the Lakkidi viewpoint.
Wayanad District Collector D R Meghasree, who also heads the District Disaster Management Authority, issued prohibitory orders under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Essential services like milk, newspapers, and fuel are exempt. The order directed police to strictly enforce the restrictions.
Clearing operations were hampered after water and slush swept down a collapsed slope by noon, forcing fire and rescue teams and volunteers to retreat to safety. Officials said recurring mudslides continued to pose danger, and debris removal was suspended in the evening.
Vehicles stranded at Adivaram and Lakkidy were instructed to take alternate routes. Many truck drivers from outside the state said they preferred to walk home and return later for their vehicles rather than make the long detour.
Meanwhile, Kozhikode District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh also barred traffic to Wayanad via the ghat stretch, citing continuing landslides and heavy rains. He urged the public to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
The clarification came after reports suggested Kozhikode officials were absent from the spot. The district administration stated that its team, including disaster management and geology experts, had visited the site on Wednesday and issued instructions.
The NH 766 stretch, which had been closed since Tuesday night due to a mudslide, was reopened partially on Wednesday.
Vehicles heading to Wayanad from Kozhikode are being diverted via the Kuttiadi ghat, while commuters from Malappuram have been advised to use the Nilambur–Nadukani ghat road. At Lakkidi, vehicles are being blocked, and in Kozhikode, traffic is being stopped at Adivaram. Only vehicles that were already stranded within a few metres of the mudslide-hit stretch are being allowed to pass.
With the road closed since Thursday morning, some office-goers stranded at Lakkidi were seen walking to reach their destinations.