Heavy rain in landslide-hit areas; it is not safe to stay in houses in Punchirimattom, says expert team

KALPETTA: The expert team that inspected the landslide-hit areas of Chooralmala, Mundakkai and Punchirimattom said that the region received heavy rainfall before the landslide occurred. After inspecting the region, the expert team stated that the region received 570 mm of rain in just three days. The team conducted inspections from Punchirimattom to Chooralmala. John Mathai, a scientist at the National Geosciences Center, said that the remaining houses in Punchirimattom are unsafe for habitation

"Most of the places in Chooralmala are still habitable. The government has to make a policy decision as to whether to allow any construction work in the area," John Mathai said.

"There have been three similar landslides before this. These landslides had resulted in the formation of a temporary dam-like structure in Seethammakund. Such a big disaster occurred along 8 kilometres in the region as this reservoir burst and water gushed out following the heavy rains," he said.

He added that the preliminary report of the inspection will be submitted within ten days.