Fri Jan 02 13:38:07 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, formatted for a news publication:
Headline: Mudslip Disrupts Traffic on Kochi-Dhanushkodi Highway Near Munnar
IDUKKI, India – January 2, 2026 – A significant mudslip blocked the Thondimala-Bodimettu stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway near Munnar early Friday morning, January 2, 2026.
Officials report that the incident, which occurred around 6:00 AM IST, was triggered by extremely heavy rainfall in the border areas of the Idukki district. Large quantities of soil, rocks, and uprooted trees cascaded onto the roadway, completely halting traffic between Munnar and Bodimettu for approximately two hours.
Fortunately, the mudslip occurred shortly after vehicles carrying cardamom plantation workers from Tamil Nadu had passed through the affected area, averting potential casualties.
Authorities worked quickly to clear the debris, and traffic resumed later in the morning. The incident serves as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to landslides, especially during periods of intense rainfall.
First Piper 