A devastating landslip in Kerala’s Idukki district has claimed the life of one woman, with two others injured, as torrential rain wreaked havoc across the region early on Saturday morning (August 1, 2026).
The major landslip occurred at Adoormala in Kudayathoor panchayat, Thodupuzha, striking the home of Mashikkalel Ravi Narayanan around 2:00 a.m. Ravi, his wife Sumathi, and their son Ratheesh were inside the house when the disaster struck, and Sumathi went missing immediately after. Local residents managed to rescue Ravi and Ratheesh, who sustained injuries. The body of Sumathi was later recovered by NDRF members and Fire and Rescue Force personnel on Saturday morning.
The heavy rainfall also caused widespread damage, with major roads connecting the hilly district of Idukki being blocked due to several landslips and mudslides. A landslip at Pullupara, near Kuttikkanam on the Kottarakkara–Dindigul National Highway, halted traffic on the Kuttikkanam–Mundakkayam stretch. Additionally, waterlogging was reported at Churakkulam Junction near Vandiperiyar on the same highway, leading to flooding at the nearby government hospital.
The Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway leading to Munnar was also blocked after a landslip at Machiplavu. Meanwhile, falling mud struck a police vehicle at Mathayippara, near Upputhara. In response to the rising water levels, the shutters of the Malankara, Pambla, and Kallarkutty dams were opened.
Due to the continued heavy rainfall, the Idukki District Collector has declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the district.
