Kattappana (Idukki): The natives of Mulakaramedu are relieved to have a narrow escape from the landslide. The mishap took away three houses and a large portion of Nirmala City-Kalyanathandu road. As most of the locals had moved to safe locations already, no casualties occurred.
“God saved our lives. Whatever else lost can be rebuilt again,” said Leelamma and Vijayamma who were in the relief camp at St. George School in Kattappana.
On Thursday morning, mud slip started near Pallippadi at Mulakaramedu. Councillor Celine Joy immediately asked the families residing in the area to shift to safe places in view of the disaster.
By 11 am, first landslide occurred with a loud noise. Two landslides followed later. A major landslip happened by 5 in the evening destroying one portion of the area.
Chelakkatt Jiji, a local resident, was standing on the house premises at the time. He ran to safety on seeing the mudflow. His parents were already shifted from there. Their house was completely destroyed in the mud slip. Pet rabbits reared at home were washed away.
As the rocks by the roadside blocked the mudflow, many houses were saved from disaster. Another landslide can be expected at any hour. More than 150 persons in 40 households in the place are staying in the camps at St. George School here.
