Idukki: A man lost his life and his wife was critically injured after a mudslide buried their house at Laksham Veedu Colony in Adimaly here on Saturday night. The deceased is Biju of Nedumballikudi, while his wife Sandhya is undergoing treatment for serious injuries.

The couple was trapped under concrete debris after the mudslide struck their home around 10.30 pm. Rescue efforts continued for more than six hours under adverse conditions. Sandhya was rescued around 3 am after being trapped with one leg caught between concrete slabs. Biju, who was pinned under a large concrete beam and an almirah, was pulled out around 5 am. Though he was rushed to the Adimaly Taluk Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

Rescue personnel, including the Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and NDRF teams, worked tirelessly through the night with the help of local residents. Heavy machinery, including JCBs and electric cutters, was brought to the site to remove the debris carefully. Medical teams and senior officials — including Minister Roshy Augustine, MP Dean Kuriakose, and the ADM — reached the site to oversee the rescue operations.

Sandhya, who sustained severe leg injuries, was first rushed to Adimali Taluk Hospital and later shifted to Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva for advanced medical care.

Authorities confirmed that a major tragedy was averted as nearly 22 families from the area had been evacuated earlier due to the threat of a mudslide. However, Biju and Sandhya had briefly returned home to collect some documents when the slope collapsed.

A 50-foot-high section of the hill slid down onto the road and nearby houses, completely destroying two homes and disrupting the power supply in the area. Rescue and clearing operations are still underway.

As per reports, the mudslide destroyed eight houses in the area near Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway.

People blame NHAI
Residents have alleged that unscientific land excavation carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) led to the mudslide. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has warned of the possibility of another mudslide in the region. An expert team will visit the site to determine the cause of the mishap. People claimed that a large crack had developed in the land at the Laksham Veedu Colony in Unnathi after the NHAI conducted mud mining activities in the area. They argued that NHAI ignored their complaints.