Adimali (Idukki): One person died and another was rescued after a landslide struck a house in Adimali late on Saturday night. The deceased, identified as Biju, was trapped inside his home along with his wife Sandhya when the incident occurred around 10.30 pm near the national highway.

Rescue teams, including the Fire Force and NDRF with the help of local residents, carried out a seven-hour-long operation. While both were eventually rescued from the debris, Biju succumbed to his injuries. Sandhya was taken to Rajagiri Hospital for furhter treatment.

The couple had been trapped between concrete beams, which led to a delay in the rescue. Locals said the landslide occurred due to the demolition of a large hill near the house as part of a road-widening project, which caused part of the slope to collapse.

The timely evacuation of 22 nearby families just before the incident helped avert a larger tragedy. The houses in the area were completely destroyed, with soil filling the interiors and walls collapsing entirely.

A difficult rescue mission

The rescue operation to free Biju and Sandhya was extremely challenging. They were wedged between heavy concrete beams and parts of the collapsed wall, and also pinned between their bed and cupboard. JCB machines were deployed to remove the soil from the accident site.

In the early phase of the rescue, there was a response from Sandhya, but rescuers received no response from Biju.