Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday announced that Theophilus College of Nursing, Kangazha, Kottayam, will bear the entire educational expenses of the daughter of Biju, who lost his life in the mudslide that struck Adimaly in Idukki on Saturday night. Biju’s daughter, a second-year nursing student at the college, will have her tuition and hostel fees fully covered until she completes her course. The minister thanked college chairman Joji Thomas for extending this support and conveyed her condolences to the grieving family.

Biju and his wife, Sandhya, were trapped inside their home at Laksham Veedu Colony, located just below the under-construction stretch of the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway (NH-85), when the mudslide happened around 10.30 pm on Saturday. Though the couple had earlier been shifted to a relief camp following warnings of soil instability, they had returned home briefly to retrieve important documents. Sandhya was rescued around 3 am on Sunday with her leg trapped under concrete slabs, while Biju, who was pinned beneath debris, was recovered two hours later but succumbed to his injuries at the Adimaly Taluk Hospital. At least eight houses were completely destroyed in the landslide.

In the wake of the incident, District Collector Dr Dinesan Cheruvat has ordered an immediate suspension of all construction activities along NH-85 and other vulnerable stretches in Idukki. The decision follows growing safety concerns and aims to prevent further landslides in the region. A multidisciplinary team — comprising the District Geologist, Hazard Analyst, Soil Conservation Officer, District Ground Water Officer, Executive Engineers of the Public Works and National Highway departments, and the Devikulam Tahsildar — has been tasked with inspecting the site and submitting a preliminary report within two days and a detailed report within four. Until then, all construction work in landslide-prone zones will remain halted.

However, the Collector has permitted the removal of accumulated soil and debris from roads and residential areas as part of immediate restoration measures.

An emergency meeting chaired by Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine was also held at the Adimaly Taluk Hospital to review the situation on Sunday. The meeting decided to relocate 44 families from the affected area — 22 of whom had already been shifted to a relief camp at the Adimaly Government School, a precautionary move that helped avert greater loss of life. The remaining families will be moved to government quarters in Kathippara and the LIFE housing complex at Machiplavu.

Minister Roshy Augustine directed the National Highways Authority to provide immediate assistance to the affected families and expedite debris clearance. “The government will act with collective responsibility to ensure public safety and provide all necessary relief,” he said.

Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose, Devikulam MLA A Raja, District Collector Dr Dinesan Cheruvat, District Police Chief K M Sabu Mathew, Sub-Collector Arya V M, and other officials and public representatives attended the meeting.