'Biju went home late night to collect ration card'; Locals against authorities over Adimali landslide tragedy

IDUKKI: The natives of Adimali are still not out of the shock of last night’s sudden landslides. The locals allege that the authorities did not pay enough attention despite the danger being brought to their notice several times. It was only on Saturday that the natives were moved to a camp. If not for the late move, the tragedy would have been devastating.

Locals opined that Biju and Sandhya returned home late at night after authorities asked them to submit their ration cards to stay in the camp.

A landslide occurred on the national highway at Koompanpara in Adimali around 10.30 pm last night. A section of the embankment, which was more than 50 feet high, collapsed onto the road and the houses below. Eight houses were destroyed by the landslide. Six houses were partially destroyed. Locals blamed the unscientific excavation for the construction of the national highway.

Sandhya, one of the couple trapped inside their house in yesterday's landslide, was rescued after a six-hour rescue operation, but Biju could not be saved. Sandhya was seriously injured in the accident. It is reported that her leg was badly injured. Sandhya was taken to the Adimali Taluk Hospital and then shifted to the Aluva Rajagiri Hospital for specialist treatment.