Cutting the slope for highway widening works on NH a predominant motive for current landslips, says research

A current research performed by an professional staff led by Ok.S. Sajin Kumar, assistant professor on the Geology division of University of Kerala, discovered that slicing the slope for a highway widening work on the Munnar-Bodimettu stretch of the Kochi-Danushkodi National Highway was a major issue contributing to the current landslips close to the outdated Government College at Devikulam in Idukki.

Two main landslips occurred close to the outdated Government College on July 26 and 27, 2025. During the primary landslip, a lorry acquired trapped below the particles. Driver Ganeshan, 58, a resident of Munnar Anthoniyar Nager, died, and helper Murukan, 50, sustained accidents in that incident.

Dr. Sajin Kumar stated the current landslips occurred close to a spot the place a significant landslip occurred in 2018. “On August 16, 2018, a portion of the hill behind the outdated Government College caved in, destroying the constructing. However, development of crops on the spot helped in stopping future landslips on the spot,” he stated.

“Lack of measures like retaining partitions, thickets or shrubs to guard excessive slopes created in the course of the highway widening works is a major issue that led to the current landslips,” he stated, including that there are possibilities for extra landslips on the spot.

The professional staff held a drone inspection on the spot and is able to submit an in depth report of the research if the district administration asks for it.

The staff included Rajaneesh, analysis affiliate at Kerala University; District Disaster Management Authority hazard analyst T.R. Rajeev; assistant professor on the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali Younis Ali; and A.L. Achu, analysis scholar from Kerala University for Fisheries and Ocean Studies.