Kerala floods: Geologist visits site where cracks appeared on earth

KANNUR: The geologist from the Mining and Geology office in the district visited the localities near Kottiyur in

Kannur district

on Monday, where cracks have appeared on the earth following heavy rains and landslide.


According to geologist K R Jagadeesan, who inspected the areas, the cracks appeared due to heavy rain and the slopes of the locality. He said he would give a report to the District Collector, recommending further study by the Centre for Earth Science Studies.

The reason for this phenomenon was that more water seeped into the earth, which it could not absorb or withstand, he said. Further, this place has 35 degree slope and also there would be a pull due to the gravitational force which would also cause the crack, he opined. These cracks are 300 to 400 metres long and when water enters it the soil will loosen further, thus leading to landslide and

flash flood

, he said.

Though this is the beginning of the landslide, it is not necessary that it would happen now and it could happen when it rains next time. Following the cracks, one house was collapsed and a few houses have been damaged. But till the rain is over the residents of these houses should not come back to their houses, he said.

However, the situation has improved considerably in the district and only four relief camps were functioning on Monday, where there were around 980 people. All these camps are in Kottiyur village.

Meanwhile the bamboo bridges that were washed off in Cherupuzha were rebuilt rebuilt, following which the local residents staying in the relief camps went back to their houses.

Ever since the monsoon began this season, there was a loss of Rs 24.62 crore in the agriculture sector alone in the district. The loss incurred since August 9 is to the tune of over Rs five crore, said officials.