2 women trapped after landslip in Mamalakkandam, rescued

Ernakulam: Two women were rescued after being trapped in a landslip at Mamalakkandam, Kothamangalam, on Friday morning. The duo, Ramani Thankachan (58) and Thankamani Ramachandran (62), were tending to their crops when boulders from a nearby slope fell on them, leaving both injured.

The women managed to contact their family members over the phone, while neighbours, who also heard the sound of the landslip, rushed to the spot and carried out the rescue. Both were later taken to Kothamangalam Taluk Hospital for treatment.

“Ramani suffered a spinal injury and was unable to stand or walk. Thankamani also sustained injuries on her back,” said Mamalakkandam ward member Sreeja Biju.

The duo usually visit their farmland together, which mainly has rubber and pepper plantations, as the area lies close to the forest and is frequented by wild elephants. Locals said elephants were spotted in the locality earlier on Friday morning, too, and it is suspected that they might have dislodged the boulders.

Kuttampuzha police and civil defence volunteers from the Fire and Rescue Department assisted in the rescue operation.