Kerala: Aborted landslides a concern for Idukki

Idukki: The district is highly prone to major landslides in the future due to aborted landslides, warned geology department officials who studied aborted landslides in the district. The district witnessed three aborted landslides ( slopes on the verge of collapse ) this monsoon while it was 38 last year.

Aborted landslides occur due to the block of natural water flow either by human intervention or by natural factors, said geology department officials.

After the study, the department recommended the district collector to take steps to conduct further studies on such issues.

“We need a study of the changing pattern of the southwest monsoon season and how to rejuvenate the natural streams in the hills. Blockage of streams is the main reason of aborted landslides,” said a geology department official.

“The study will help taking timely measures to reduce the impact of landslip. Aborted landslides and heavy rainfall are connected. If heavy rainfall occurs in an aborted landslide area, it will turn into heavy landslides,” added the official. He said that the landslides at Kavalappara in Malappuram and Puthumala in Wayanad districts were the result of aborted landslides. In such landslides the debris contains more earth components than water components and it will cover a larger area of land,” the official added.

Vikas Nagar near Vandiperiyar, Memala in Peermade and Muttukadu in Chinnakanal had witnessed aborted landslides this year. In these areas earth caved in on the slopes, posing the threat of major landslides.

Meanwhile, a cavity has formed atop a hill at Mullamthandu near Poopara in Idukki , creating panic among residents in the area.