WAYANAD: The report of the soil conservation department has mentioned that the reason for the tragedy at Puthumala was not landslide but a strong mudslide. The report claimed that felling of trees at delicate areas and stirring of mud for cardamom cultivation led to the mudslide. The district soil conservation officer submitted a report to the district collector seeking a detailed study on the place where the tragedy struck.

The topsoil is only 1.5 meters deep and below is a huge boulder. Chances for major natural disasters are more in hilly areas at least 2.5 meters above ground. Earth caved in at Puthumala twice in short intervals. Earth caved in at 20% to 60% percent slope area. What happened in Puthumala is a huge mudslide.