Adimaly (Idukki): Five days after traffic resumed on the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway (NH-85) near Adimaly, where a landslip struck the Laksham Veedu Colony on October 25, fear still hangs heavy over the area. Vehicles are now allowed to travel in only one direction at a time for safety reasons.
The disaster claimed one life, destroyed eight houses, and forced several families to abandon their homes. Panchayat officials said 12 more houses lie in a highly vulnerable zone and are unsafe to live.

A major tragedy was averted when the district administration, with the help of panchayat and police officials, shifted residents to a nearby school just hours before the landslip.

“Eight families whose houses were completely destroyed have been relocated to the KSEB quarters at Kathipara, about 6 km away. Others have moved to rented homes,” said Adimaly panchayat vice president Anas Ibrahim. “Though the government has promised compensation, we have no clarity on the insurance coverage or disbursal process,” he added.

According to Anas, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had assured each affected family of immediate relief of ₹ 15,000, but the amount has yet to be released. “Officials said they didn’t have the beneficiaries’ bank details, so we collected information on 50 families and submitted it. Still, nothing happened. We even suggested that the amount be sent to the panchayat for proper distribution, but there was no response,” he said.

The NHAI had also promised to cover rent expenses for displaced families, but residents say there has been no update since.

Meanwhile, those who returned home live in constant fear. “Families living closest to the landslip have moved out. The rest of us came back after officials assured safety, but we can’t sleep peacefully. Every rain makes us anxious,” said Laly, a Haritha Karma Sena worker and resident of the colony.

Laly said her family, all daily wage earners, has no means to relocate. “We built this house 18 years ago with a ₹50,000 government grant and several loans, which we are still repaying. The structure is weak, and even a slight tremor could bring it down,” she said. “Our children often ask what future we have here. Life is just about paying debts and holding on to this fragile home on four cents of land.”

A joint inspection by the Geology, Soil Conservation, and Ground Water departments was carried out and submitted a report on October 31, following which the NHAI removed debris and noticed cracks on the road surface. “We have since restricted heavy vehicle movement and instructed the construction of a retaining wall. We have also recommended that only light vehicles be allowed through the area until further notice,” said an official from the District Soil Conservation Department.

“It is a densely vegetated area, and the landowners above the affected slope had maintained their plots well, with proper gradients and drainage. Hence, we believe heavy rainfall was the main triggering factor behind the landslip. We are still assessing the exact amount of rainfall the area received,” the official added.

The District Geologist confirmed that the site falls within the Geological Survey of India’s red zone for landslides. “Heavy rainfall, slope cutting during road construction, and toe cutting worsened the instability. It is known that the area also received excess rain during that time,” the official said.