Portion of Kochi-Dhanushkodi NH caves in, results in mudslip

A portion of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway caved in at Moolakkada near Pallivasal, near Munnar, in Idukki on Monday night. According to local sources, the road collapsed towards the side and slided downstream around 11.30 p.m. following heavy rain. There was no vehicular movement on the highway when the road caved in, leading to no big casualties.

According to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) sources, only a portion of the road caved in on the highway, allowing single-lane traffic. “The construction works of the retaining wall are ongoing,” said the source.

“The Pallivasal area experienced extremely heavy rainfall on Monday night, and a large amount of water flow occurred in the area where a retaining wall is being constructed which resulted in a mudslip,” said the source.

On Saturday night, a major mudslip occurred on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway at Koombanpara near Adimaly, claiming the life of a 47-year-old man and injuring his wife. Over eight homes were fully destroyed in the incident.

Meanwhile, the repeated incidents of mudslips and landslips on the highway are causing a setback to the tourism sector in the Munnar hill station. The road is the major route connecting tourists from Tamil Nadu and Kerala to the hill station. Tourism stakeholders said that the repeated incidents are negatively impacting the Munnar hill station.

Earlier this year

On July 26 and 27, 2025, two major landslips occurred on the Munnar-Bodimettu stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway, near the old Government College, close to the Munnar hill station, which connects the town with Tamil Nadu. A lorry was trapped under the debris, and the vehicle driver died, while the helper sustained injuries. Following this, traffic was disrupted on this route for many days.

“Normally, the hill station witnesses a tourist rush these days. But after the incidents, Munnar town appeared deserted, which has negatively impacted our business sector,” said a vendor in Munnar town.

G. Sojan, coordinator, My Munnar Movement, said that after the Adimaly mudslip, hotels and resorts received many cancellations. “Normally, during the November-December period, the hill station sees the arrival of school tours from various parts of the country. After the news of the mudslip, we received information that the schools and groups were rethinking their visit to Munnar,” said Mr. Sojan.