Wayanad Cut Off as Landslides and Fallen Trees Disrupt Ghat Road Traffic

Wayanad: Wayanad was left isolated after heavy rain triggered landslides and caused trees to fall along the Thamarassery and Palchuram mountain passes, disrupting traffic. Traffic towards Kozhikode was completely blocked from Saturday morning after water inundated the national highway near Engapuzha.

Police stopped vehicles at the Janamaithri Traffic Junction near the Ayyappan Temple and advised people to avoid non-essential travel through the mountain passes.

Although the water level receded in Engapuzha, traffic was disrupted again at around 4 pm after a landslide occurred and a tree was uprooted near the ninth hairpin bend of Thamarassery Ghat. The tree was cut and the obstruction was cleared. However, considering the risk of further accidents, police prevented non-essential vehicles from proceeding from Adivaram and Lakkidi.

Traffic was also disrupted on the Palchuram route, which connects Wayanad and Kannur districts, following a landslide. As the road remains in a dangerous condition, authorities have prohibited travel through the route until 6 am on Sunday.

A flash flood was also reported near Elapeedika at the fourth hairpin bend of the Periya Ghat road.