Thodupuzha: Disaster was narrowly averted in Munnar after yet another landslide struck the Munnar–Pallivasal stretch of the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway, near the site of the ongoing second bridge construction.
The night travel ban, already in place due to previous incidents, proved crucial in preventing a major tragedy — no vehicles were on the road when the landslide occurred.
Locals say the area remains highly vulnerable, warning of further landslides as the soil continues to loosen under unstable conditions. They blame unscientific construction methods and unchecked soil excavation for the recurring disasters that have disrupted travel and endangered lives.
By morning, authorities had partially restored vehicle movement, ensuring limited passage through the affected stretch. A team of geological and engineering experts is scheduled to inspect the site to assess risks and recommend urgent safety measures.
The recurring landslides have once again raised questions about the safety of infrastructure projects in Kerala’s fragile hill regions, where development often clashes with environmental stability.
