Heavy rains trigger landslide alert; evacuation ordered in Vilangad

District Collector M.S. Madhavikutty has ordered the immediate evacuation of residents of all vulnerable areas in Vilangad and nearby hilly regions of Vadakara taluk in Kozhikode district following reports of a heightened risk of landslides and mudslides due to incessant rainfall.

The order issued on Friday (June 5) covers areas, including Vilangad, Valook, Malayangad, Urutty, and Panniyeri, where rough weather conditions have raised concerns over possible slope failures. The Collector, who is also the chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, ordered that residents be shifted to safer locations without delay.

The Vadakara Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate evacuation and relief camp operations, while the Vadakara tahsildar will serve as assistant nodal officer.

The evacuation order specifically applies to people residing in landslide-prone locations in the Vilangad hill region, particularly those living along riverbanks, steep slopes, and near sites that have witnessed devastating landslides in the past. The authorities have been instructed to move all such residents to safe shelters on an emergency basis.

Officials of Vanimel and Narippatta grama panchayats have been directed to identify suitable schools and other public buildings in consultation with the Vadakara tahsildar and make them ready as relief camps to meet emergency requirements. The camps are required to provide adequate drinking water, food, electricity, sanitation, and medical assistance.

The District Police Chief (Kozhikode Rural) has been asked to deploy sufficient personnel to support evacuation plans and ensure security at relief camps as well as evacuated houses. Medical teams will visit the camps and ensure the availability of essential medicines and healthcare services. Meanwhile, night travel on hill roads in the Vilangad region has been restricted from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., except in emergencies.

The Collector has urged residents in vulnerable areas to fully cooperate with official instructions, refrain from spreading misinformation, and rely only on authorised warnings and advisories. She also made it clear that legal actions would be initiated against those violating the directive under Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.