Heavy rain triggers flood fears in Wayanad's Chooralmala, one year after deadly landslides

Heavy rains over the past 24 hours have raised fears of fresh flooding and landslides in Wayanad's Mundakkai-Chooralmala region, just a year after deadly landslides claimed over 200 lives there. Local residents said they heard a huge sound on Wednesday morning, and the heavy odour of thick marsh coming from the uphills reminded them of the disaster last year.

However, the authorities confirmed later that no fresh landslide case or crack atop the hill has been reported in the area so far. District Collector D R Meghashree told reporters here that there is no need for concern anywhere in Wayanad as of now, despite it raining.

She, however, wanted people to be vigilant and not venture into no-go-zone areas marked by the authorities.

"We have gone up to Punchirimattom bridge. There is no new crack. Whatever came down now is debris which had already been there (following the previous landslide). There are no issues as of now," she said.

When asked about the possibility of deployment of the NDRF team in the area, the collector said there is no need for that at the moment. She also made it clear that labourers working in the areas also could not be permitted till the rain decreases.

"A decision will be taken about their livelihood assistance after holding discussions with the government," Meghashree said. On the rain situation in other parts of the district, the collector said there are no issues in Sultan Bathery, but it is raining heavily in Mananthavady.

There is no flood situation or any circumstance that demands to open relief camps there as of now, the collector said, adding that after reviewing the situation in the evening, a decision on camps would be taken.

According to the authorities, the Chooralmala River is in strong spate, with muddy water flowing forcefully and breaching the banks near the Bailey bridge. Soil stored along both riverbanks for renovation work has been washed away, causing water to spill onto the Attamala Road and surrounding areas.

Earlier in the day, local residents told TV channels that they believe new landslides have occurred in the hills, particularly uphill near Punchirimattam inside forested areas.

"We have no confirmation of new landslides inside the forest, uphill Punchirimattam," the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) made it clear later.

"The loose debris from previous events is coming down with the rain. This will likely continue for some time until all eroded materials are washed off," it said.

Residents remain anxious, remembering the July 2024 disaster that flattened homes, injured dozens, and left hundreds without shelter. District administration officials say the flash flooding is a result of widespread rain in the hills, and they are monitoring the situation closely.

Meanwhile, a section of local people staged a protest in the area, alleging lapses in the rehabilitation initiatives being implemented by the government. They also blocked village authorities, police and fire force personnel, accusing them of reaching the area late, though they conveyed the concerns of a fresh landslide early in the morning.

Officials later assured them to address their issues at the earliest. Further downstream, the Kabani River has also seen rising water levels at Mananthavady and Panamaram.

With the Banasura dam nearing full capacity, a red alert remains in place for nearby regions.

Meanwhile, the state cabinet on Wednesday gave approval for the work to remove the landslide debris that had accumulated in the Punnapuzha River in Meppadi Grama Panchayat in Wayanad, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a statement.

The Uralungal Labour Contract Society has been entrusted with this task, it said, adding that an administrative sanction has been given for the work worth Rs 195.50 crore.