Landslide in Adimali; Cause of disaster is unscientific excavation by National Highway Authority

IDUKKI: The cause of the landslide in Adimali was found to be the lapse of the National Highway Authority. The district collector informed that the inspection found that unscientific excavation was carried out as part of the construction work. The collector informed that the inspection will continue at more places and further action will be taken after receiving the report of the expert committee. One had died and eight houses collapsed in the landslide on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway. The dead was Biju (46) of Nedumpillikudi.

Meantime, it was decided to rehabilitate 29 houses that the expert committee found to be at risk following the landslide by providing the amount as per insurance cover. The decision was taken at the meet convened by district collector Dr Dinesan Cheruvat and attended by Minister Roshi Augustine, Dean Kuriakose MP, MLAs M M Mani and A Raja.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) clarified that houses in the disaster-prone areas have insurance coverage. Steps will be taken to provide this amount and provide them with houses and land for rehabilitation. The National Highways Authority is responsible for providing the insurance amount. If the insurance amount decreases, the authority will also have to pay the remaining amount.

Houses will be provided on rent until these families are rehabilitated. The National Highways Authority will also bear the rent. In addition, the authority will provide financial assistance to the daughter of Biju, who died in the accident. It was also decided to provide assistance to those living in the camp. It has been decided that the insurance proceeds will be used only for purchasing land and constructing houses. For this, a joint agreement will be entered into by the panchayat, village, beneficiary and NHAI.