Kannur landslip: Families shifted to relief camps as red alert remains in Udayagiri
A fresh landslip struck the residential area of Thalippara in Udayagiri, a hilly region in Kannur district, Kerala, on Friday (August 7), prompting authorities to evacuate families living downstream to relief camps. The incident occurred amid heavy rainfall and a red alert for the district. No casualties have been reported so far.
The landslip began around noon when large boulders, uprooted trees, and slush came hurtling down from the hill towards the foothills at high speed. Disaster response personnel, along with local police and volunteers, swiftly moved residents from vulnerable areas to designated relief camps as a precautionary measure. The evacuated families have been provided with food, drinking water, and basic amenities at the camps.
This fresh incident has intensified concerns as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Kannur, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, and Wayanad on Friday, predicting extremely heavy rainfall. An orange alert was sounded for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Malappuram, while a yellow alert was in place for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad. The IMD has also warned that isolated heavy rainfall is likely to continue on Saturday (August 8), with yellow alerts issued for ten districts across the state.
The red alert signals the potential for very heavy to extremely heavy rain, which can trigger landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas. The hilly terrain of the Western Ghats in Kannur has historically been prone to such incidents during the southwest monsoon. The current spell of rain has saturated the soil, increasing the risk of further slides.
Authorities have urged people living in landslide-prone areas and along hill slopes to remain vigilant and follow evacuation instructions issued by the district administration. The district administration has set up control rooms to coordinate relief operations and is in constant touch with disaster management agencies. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel to hilly regions and to cooperate with officials in case of evacuation orders.
The landslip at Udayagiri is a reminder of the fragile ecology of the region. Environmental experts have long cautioned against unscientific construction and deforestation on steep slopes, which exacerbate the risk of landslides. The state government has announced a comprehensive geotechnical survey of vulnerable areas to mitigate future disasters, but immediate focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents as the monsoon continues.
Meanwhile, the district administration has intensified monitoring across hill regions following the forecast. The evacuation at Udayagiri was carried out efficiently, with priority given to elderly people, children, and those with disabilities. Local volunteers and community members have also stepped in to assist the affected families. The administration is confident that timely action prevented any loss of life.
As the monsoon fury continues, the authorities are maintaining a high state of alert. The IMD has indicated that the red alert may be extended to other districts depending on the movement of weather systems. Residents have been urged to stay indoors and rely on official channels for updates. The situation is being closely monitored, and additional resources have been kept ready for rapid deployment if needed.
