A high-level meeting convened by Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine to discuss the rehabilitation of landslide-affected families in Idukki collectorate on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A high-level meeting convened by Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine at Idukki collectorate on Friday decided to rehabilitate 29 families from the landslide-hit area of Koombanpara in Adimaly. According to the officials, during the meeting, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials informed them that the insurance cover was extended to houses posing a threat on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway.
NHAI should provide insurance claim and district administration is rehabilitating 29 families with insurance claim support. “If the claim amount is less, NHAI should provide the balance amount,” the minister said.
According to officials, the families will be provided with rented houses until they are rehabilitated. The rental amount will be borne by NHAI. Financial assistance will be provided to people living in relief camps. NHAI will also provide financial assistance to Biju’s daughter who was killed in a landslide
It was decided that the insurance money should only be used to buy land for building houses. A joint agreement will be signed with the beneficiary, local panchayat, village and NHAI.
Rehabilitation
The special team has recommended that 29 families be eligible for the rehabilitation package and the panchayat will take steps to find homes and plots for the affected families. Families can return to their homes from the relief camp after a special team report advises that they are out of danger. NHAI will construct a retaining wall where the landslide occurred.
The report submitted by the special team said that unscientific road widening work on the National Highway led to the landslide.
District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt, Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose, Udumbanchola MLA MM Mani, Devikulam MLA A. Raja, Devikulam Sub-Collector VM Arya, Idukki Sub-Collector Anoop Garg and District Superintendent of Police KM Sabu Mathew, among others, attended the meeting.
A landslide that occurred near Adimala on the Munnar highway on the night of October 25 claimed the life of Laksham Veedu Colony resident Biju and seriously injured his wife Sandhya. On October 28, doctors amputated Sandhya’s left leg due to severe injuries.
Published – 31 Oct 2025 19:31 IST
