Two people were killed and one injured in a mudslide in Kerala’s Kottakkamboor

A mudslide hit Kottakkamboor area near Vattavada in Idukki on Sunday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Two people were killed and one seriously injured after a mudslide destroyed a makeshift shed at a garlic farm at Kottakkamboor near Vattavada in Munnar, Kerala on Sunday (September 20, 2026).

According to police, the deceased have been identified as Kottakkamboor residents Balakrishnan (50) and his sister Chinnu (35). Balakrishnan’s wife Mariyamma (40) was seriously injured and was admitted to Munnar Government Hospital.

The incident took place around 3 pm near Ammankovil in Kottakkamboor. The three were working on a garlic farm when the area experienced heavy rain. They were seeking shelter from the downpour in a temporary shed on farmland when a mudslide hit the hill and swept away the structure.

According to initial reports, the victims were trapped under the debris and local residents pulled them out after intensive rescue efforts. Balakrishnan and Chinnu died on the spot while Mariyamma was hospitalized with severe injuries.

Suspected electric shock

Devikulam Subcollector VM Arya said the mudslide was triggered by torrential rains. “An electric pole also fell on the shed in the incident. It is suspected that the death may have been due to electrocution, but this is yet to be confirmed. The exact cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem reports are received. The incident took place in an isolated area where people do not stay; they were working in the agricultural land at the time,” said Arya.

“The injured woman, Mariyamma, is undergoing treatment at Munnar Government Hospital. The bodies will be shifted to Adimaly Taluk Hospital for postmortem,” she said.

Remote location

Located in Vattavada gram panchayat, Kottakkamboor is a remote area. Rescuers had to carry the victims using makeshift bamboo stretchers.

K. Jayaprakash, a resident of Vattavada said the panchayat witnessed extremely heavy rains that started around 3 pm on Sunday. “It did not rain in the morning, but by afternoon the area experienced heavy downpours,” said Mr. Jayaprakash.

Due to the ongoing Neelakurinji blossom season and the weekend rush, the Munnar–Vattavada route was heavily congested. Traffic restrictions were briefly imposed on the section to allow the ambulance service to transport the injured woman to the hospital.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob, who is in charge of Idukki district, said instructions have been issued to ensure that the injured woman receives proper treatment. He added that the government will bear all the medical expenses and provide maximum financial assistance to the affected families.

The Minister will also visit the Adimaly Taluk Hospital where the bodies of both the victims are kept to pay respects to the victims.

Published – 20 Sep 2026 21:12 IST