Heavy rain triggers landslide warning; evacuation ordered in Vilangad

Vilangad town which was badly affected by flash flood in 2022. | Photo credit: File Photo

District Collector MS Madhavikutty has ordered immediate evacuation of residents of all vulnerable areas in Vilangad and nearby hilly areas of Vadakara taluk in Kozhikode district following reports of increased risk of landslides and mudslides due to continuous rainfall.

The order issued on Friday (June 5) applies to areas including Vilangad, Valook, Malayangad, Urutty and Panniyeri where severe weather conditions have raised fears of possible slope failures. The collector, who is also the chairman of the District Disaster Management Office, ordered the residents to be moved to safer places immediately.

The Vadakara Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate the evacuation and rescue camp operations, while the Vadakara tahsildar will serve as the assistant nodal officer.

The evacuation order specifically applies to people residing in landslide-prone areas of the Vilangad hill region, especially those living along river banks, on steep slopes and near places that have witnessed devastating landslides in the past. Authorities have been instructed to urgently relocate all such residents to safe shelters.

Officials from Vanimel and Narippatta grama panchayats have been directed to identify suitable schools and other public buildings in consultation with the Vadakara tahsildar and set them up as relief camps to meet the emergency requirements. Camps are required to provide sufficient drinking water, food, electricity, sanitation and medical assistance.

The District Superintendent of Police (Kozhikode Rural) has been asked to deploy sufficient personnel to support the evacuation plans and ensure security in the relief camps as well as in the evacuated homes. Medical teams will visit the camps and ensure the availability of essential medicines and health services. Meanwhile, night travel on hill roads in the Vilangad region has been restricted from 7 pm to 6 am, except in emergencies.

The collector urged residents in vulnerable areas to fully cooperate with official instructions, refrain from spreading misinformation and rely only on authorized warnings and advice. It also clarified that legal action under Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 will be initiated against those who violate the directive.

Published – 05 Jun 2026 23:47 IST