Adimali mudslide: 17 families continue protest demanding fair compensation

Seventeen families affected by the Adimali mudslide tragedy are continuing their protest demanding fair compensation. The mudslide occurred on October 25, 2025, at Kumbanpara near Adimali in Idukki on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway—a crucial route connecting to Munnar hill station. The disaster claimed one life, seriously injured one and severely damaged several homes.

Following the incident, the Revenue department identified 27 families in the area living under the imminent threat of further mudslides. According to officials, nine homes were destroyed, while others remained at high risk, prompting authorities to shift the families to rented accommodations as a precautionary measure.

The Revenue department had promised to provide up to ₹15,000 per month to cover the rent. However, with rent payments severely delayed, the displaced families launched a protest last week at the disaster site, demanding the immediate release of rent dues and a comprehensive relief package.

Latha Sali, an Adimali panchayat ward member, stated that due to safety concerns at the original site, the families had to relocate their protest venue. “Because heavy rains posed a fresh mudslide threat at the initial protest site, the district administration directed them to move. They have now shifted their protest venue to the front of the Adimali panchayat office,” she said.

Pending rent sanctioned

Devikulam Sub-Collector V.M. Arya stated that the pending rent has now been sanctioned for all affected families. “In the tragedy, nine homes were fully destroyed, and 17 homes remain under threat. The government has already allotted ₹10 lakh each to the families whose homes were completely demolished. The owners of the 17 threatened homes are demanding the same compensation and are continuing their protest,” the official explained.

“The District Collector has already submitted a detailed proposal to the government recommending that the remaining 17 families be granted the same compensation package. This is a ₹1.7 crore rehabilitation project that requires cabinet approval. The proposal is currently under government consideration, and we expect the cabinet to reach a solution soon,” Ms. Arya added.

She further noted, “While these 17 homes are not damaged yet, they face a severe mudslide threat. Without an expert geological study, we cannot advise these families to return to their homes.”

The devastating mudslide on the night of October 25, 2025, claimed the life of Biju, a resident of the Laksham Veedu Colony, and seriously injured his wife, Sandhya. On October 28, 2025, doctors were forced to amputate Sandhya’s left leg due to the severity of her injuries.