Safety Recommendations for Chooralmala Post-Landslides: Areas Near Punchirimattom to Be Avoided
GG News Bureau
Wayanad, 16th August. A recent inspection of the disaster-stricken Chooralmala area in Wayanad has revealed that while most of the region is now deemed safe for habitation, residents should consider avoiding the Punchirimattom area—the epicenter of the devastating landslides that occurred on July 30. Senior scientist John Matthai of the National Centre for Geosciences, who led the five-member team inspecting the affected areas, highlighted these recommendations during a press briefing.
Matthai noted that the majority of Chooralmala is safe, but advised against long-term residence near the river in Punchirimattom due to ongoing risks. The team, appointed by the State Disaster Management Authority, has been tasked with demarcating safe and unsafe zones in their forthcoming report.
Explaining the landslide’s impact, Matthai described how a massive volume of water, collected at the landslide’s epicenter, cascaded down with immense force, transporting boulders and uprooted trees, and creating new river paths. He attributed the severity of the landslides to a shift in rainfall patterns, with short but intense bursts of rain replacing the region’s previously continuous rainfall.
In related news, state Revenue Minister K Rajan reported ongoing search operations in Nilambur, Malappuram district, where hundreds of bodies and body parts have been recovered following the landslides. He confirmed that 118 people remain missing and assured that efforts will focus on accumulating sand beds and rocky forest areas. Rajan emphasized safety for volunteers and urged them to coordinate with district administration for any search operations in forested areas.
To date, search efforts have successfully recovered 231 bodies and 212 body parts, with over 5,400 volunteers contributing to the recovery operations. Rajan praised the volunteers’ dedication, underscoring the critical role they have played in the aftermath of this natural disaster.
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