Idukki: A landslide struck Koonthalampara's VT Padi, a residential area near Kattappana town here, in the early hours of Saturday. The incident occurred around 1.30 am. Though residents heard a loud noise during the night, the true scale of the disaster became evident only at daybreak. Many woke up to find mud and debris piled around their houses, with vehicles partially buried under soil.

The landslide swept away several farmlands and sections of the nearby road. Large trees and boulders from the Koonthalampara hill came crashing down along with the mud. Notably, the same area had witnessed a similar incident during the 2019 floods. Crops such as cardamom and pepper were destroyed in the latest bout of heavy rain that triggered the slide. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported.

As water levels began to rise alarmingly, residents acted swiftly, alerting those in vulnerable houses by phone and in person. Thanks to these timely warnings, many were able to stay safe and prevent major losses. Several people also managed to move their vehicles before floodwaters could reach them.

The massive mud and rock flow brought down tree trunks and debris onto roads, disrupting traffic in the area. The Sumathikkad bridge at Kanchiyar and the Kuzhiottippadi bridge sustained damage, rendering them impassable. At Anjilippalam in Ponnikkavala, a large log got stuck under a bridge, further obstructing vehicle movement.

With clear weather during the day, restoration efforts began early in the morning. JCBs were deployed around 5 am to clear the debris and reopen the roads under the supervision of revenue officials. By 7 am, workers had begun cutting and removing fallen trees.

Though the scene revived memories of the fear and tension caused by the 2019 landslide, residents expressed relief that no lives were lost this time.