45 minutes ago
5
Amid growing threats of a mudslide on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway, Idukki District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt has urged tourists to avoid travelling to the Munnar hill station.
The Collector issued the travel advisory after a major crack developed and a mudslide occurred on the highway near the Old Munnar CSI Church. Following the discovery of the crack, occupants of nearby buildings were immediately evacuated.
The Collector stated that the police and the Motor Vehicles department officials had been directed to impose strict traffic restrictions in the area. Officials said heavy rain in Munnar posed a mudslide threat, particularly in sections where road-widening work was under way.
Additionally, the Collector ordered the installation of accident warning boards in high-risk zones along the highway.
The District Disaster Management Authority’s (DDMA) hazard analyst has also been directed to inspect the site, study the terrain, and submit a comprehensive risk-assessment report.
Traffic gridlock
Meanwhile, the traffic restrictions resulted in a massive traffic gridlock in Munnar for over six hours on Sunday (July 5, 2026). The crack formed in front of the Munnar CSI Church on Saturday evening, prompting officials to block vehicles travelling on the Munnar-Adimaly route. However, this move led to a severe, hours-long bottleneck at the RO junction at the hill station.
Local tourism stakeholders said both the tourists and residents were left stranded in the town for over six hours on Sunday.
G. Sojan, coordinator of the My Munnar Movement, pointed out that the lack of a flyover was the root cause of such prolonged traffic blocks in Munnar. “Although the 2016 State Budget allocated ₹38 crore for the construction of a flyover to prevent the hill station from witnessing hours-long traffic snarl-ups during weekends and holidays, the project never became a reality. Without a flyover, it is impossible to resolve Munnar’s chronic traffic woes,” Mr. Sojan said.
English (US) ·