KOCHI: Traffic on the busy Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway was blocked on Wednesday after a section of the road overlooking a deep gorge caved in at Valara, posing threat to vehicles.
The incident occurred on Tuesday. Though cars and other small vehicles were allowed to pass on Tuesday, the PWD NH wing decided to divert all vehicular traffic on Wednesday as rain continued to lash the area, heightening the possibility of the rest of the road caving in.
“Vehicles have been diverted from Neriamangalam through Panamkutty-Pambala-Adimali Road. Only two-wheelers are allowed to pass through the NH,” said executive engineer Soumya.
“Since heavy rain is continuing, we cannot undertake road restoration work. On Thursday, the Chief Engineer will visit the place and a decision on constructing a retaining wall will be taken after inspection,” she said.
Another landslip was reported at the Chakkoli curve on Munnar Road on Tuesday night. Forests Department staff removed the mud from the road.
Meanwhile, the Kalamankuzhy tribal settlement colony near Valara on Munnar Road was cut off from the outside world after a crater developed on the approach road of the Kalamankuzhy bridge on Wednesday morning. “As the Deviyar is in full spate, there are chances of the approach road getting washed away,” said Neriamangalam Forest Range officer Arun K Nair.
Vehicle traffic on the Neriamangalam-Pambala Road was partially affected as trees fell on the road. Forest staff removed the trees and restored traffic.
Relief camp inmate dies
Alappuzha: An inmate of a relief camp in flood-hit Kuttanad died after collapsing in the camp while preparing food on Wednesday. Kodathussery native Girija, 41, died at a camp in Thalavadi panchayat. Edathua police said the incident happened at 9.30 am when she was preparing lunch for the inmates.