Wayanad: Heavy rain triggers flood fears a year after deadly landslides

Heavy rains over the past 24 hours have raised fears of fresh flooding and landslides in Wayanad's Mundakkai-Chooralmala region, just a year after deadly landslides claimed over 200 lives there.

Local residents said they heard a huge sound on Wednesday morning, and the heavy odour of the thick marshes coming from uphill reminded them of last year's disaster.

However, authorities confirmed later that no fresh landslide or crack atop the hill has been reported in the area so far.

District collector D.R. Meghashree told reporters in Wayanad that there was no need for concern anywhere in Wayanad as of now despite the heavy rain. She, however, wanted people to be vigilant and not venture into no-go zones marked out by authorities.

"We have gone up to Punchirimattom bridge. There is no new crack. Whatever came down recently is debris which had already been there (following the previous landslide). There are no issues as of now," she said.

Asked about the possibility of deploying NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force) teams in the area, the collector said there was no need for that at the moment.

Continuous heavy rain on Chooralmala hill in #Wayanad trigger fears of a landslide, with swollen Chaliyar River rivers flooding Attamala https://t.co/nTF74pXDDO July 2024, the hills around Chooralmala and Mundakkai triggered one of deadliest landslides during heavy rainfall,… pic.twitter.com/5EIbWpt3Ly

— Ashish (@KP_Aashish) June 25, 2025

However, she also made it clear that no workers could be permitted to work in the area until the rain eases up. "A decision will be taken about their livelihood assistance after holding discussions with the government," Meghashree said.

On the rain situation in other parts of the district, the collector said there were no problems in Sultan Bathery, but it was raining heavily in Mananthavady.

There is no flood situation or any circumstance that demands the opening of relief camps there as of now, the collector said, adding that a decision on camps would be taken after reviewing the situation in the evening.

According to authorities, the Chooralmala river is in strong spate, with muddy water flowing forcefully and breaching the banks near the bailey bridge.

VIDEO | Wayanad, Kerala: On heavy rain triggering flood fears in Wayanad's Chooralmala, District Magistrate Dr. Meghashree says, "There has been no new landslide at Chooralmala. The debris seen is from the previous landslide. There is no cause for concern."#WayanadRains

(Full… pic.twitter.com/8gvV8QCnmC

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 25, 2025

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Soil stored along both riverbanks for renovation work has been washed away, causing water to spill onto Attamala Road and surrounding areas.

Earlier in the day, local residents told TV channels that they believe new landslides have occurred in the hills, particularly uphill near Punchirimattam inside forested areas.

"We have no confirmation of new landslides inside the forest, uphill from Punchirimattam," the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) made it clear later. "The loose debris from previous events is coming down with the rain. This will likely continue for some time until all eroded materials are washed off," it said.

Residents remain anxious, remembering the July 2024 disaster that flattened homes, injured dozens, and left hundreds without shelter.

District administration officials say the flash flooding is a result of widespread rain in the hills, and they are monitoring the situation closely.

Meanwhile, a section of local people staged a protest in the area, alleging lapses in the rehabilitation initiatives being implemented by the government. They also blocked village authorities, police and fire services personnel, accusing them of reaching the area late, though they conveyed the concerns of a fresh landslide early in the morning. Officials later assured them of addressing their issues at the earliest.

Further downstream, the Kabani river has also seen rising water levels at Mananthavady and Panamaram. With the Banasura dam nearing full capacity, a red alert remains in place for nearby regions.

Meanwhile, the state cabinet on Wednesday approved work to remove the landslide debris that had accumulated in the Punnapuzha river in Meppadi grama panchayat in Wayanad, the chief minister's office said in a statement.

The Uralungal Labour Contract Society has been entrusted with this task, it said, adding that an administrative sanction has been given for the work worth Rs 195.50 crore.