Munnar highway traffic ban extended as fresh landslip compounds clearing efforts

The Adimaly–Munnar segment of the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway will remain closed to vehicular traffic for the next two weeks following a fresh landslip that struck the region during ongoing clearance operations. The initial closure was imposed last Monday after a substantial landslip occurred in the area while highway-widening construction was underway, necessitating the suspension of all traffic movement.

During efforts to clear debris and restore the roadway, another landslip impacted the same stretch, forcing highway authorities to reassess the situation and extend the traffic ban. The recurrent geological instability has prompted officials to maintain heightened caution in the region, a known area of concern during monsoon and post-monsoon periods when earth movement becomes more prevalent.

The prolonged closure is expected to cause significant inconvenience to commuters and commercial traffic dependent on the highway corridor, which connects the coastal city of Kochi with the southern districts. Authorities have advised vehicles to utilize alternative routes while stabilization and clearance work continues at the affected site.

The repeated landslips underscore the challenges faced by road authorities in maintaining connectivity through the Western Ghats region, where steep terrain and seasonal precipitation create persistent infrastructure vulnerabilities. Officials have indicated that a comprehensive assessment of the highway stretch will be conducted before full traffic restoration is permitted.