A building that collapsed at Talap in Kannur on Tuesday following heavy rainfall
| Photo Credit: S.K. Mohan
Heavy rain continued to wreak havoc in Kannur and Kasaragod districts of Kerala on Tuesday, with a portion of an old building collapsing onto a busy road in Kannur and a major crack developing on a newly constructed road in Kasaragod.
In Kannur, the rear portion and boundary wall of an old tiled building collapsed onto the road at Talap on LIC Road following incessant rain. No casualties or injuries were reported, but authorities carried out a search operation to ensure that nobody had been trapped under the debris.
The collapse occurred at a pocket road located between the DCC office and the CPI(M) district committee office. Large quantities of debris fell onto the road, causing concern among residents and road users.
A service centre was functioning in the building. Employees said the establishment had not opened for business at the time of the incident. Enquiries with migrant workers staying on the upper floor of the building also indicated that no one else was inside when the collapse occurred.
A team led by District Fire and Rescue Services officer Arun Bhaskar conducted the search operations. Since the debris had fallen onto a road frequently used by pedestrians and vehicles, officials removed the rubble and carried out thorough checks to ensure that no one had been trapped.
Mayor P. Indira and other officials also visited the site. Authorities said the remaining portion of the building continued to pose a threat and that steps would be taken to demolish the unstable structure.
Ms. Indira noted that notices had been issued before the monsoon to owners of several dilapidated buildings identified as dangerous. However, enforcement actions were often delayed as many owners approached courts and obtained stay orders.
In view of the continuing heavy rains, authorities said inspection of vulnerable structures would be intensified.
Meanwhile, in Kasaragod, a major crack appeared on a newly constructed road amid continuing heavy rains, raising questions over the quality of the work.
The crack, extending for nearly 50 metres, developed on the Thanniyadi-Thadiyamvalappu macadam road at Thaniyadi in Kundamkuzhi along the Poinachi-Bandaduka route. The road, which was opened to traffic only one and a half months ago, partially subsided after heavy rainfall.
Residents said a minor crack had first appeared on Monday morning, but widened considerably after intense rain later in the day. A section of the road sank, while the retaining wall along the stretch reportedly bulged outward.
Local residents alleged that the soil used during construction had not been properly compacted and that there may have been deficiencies in strengthening the foundation. They further claimed that an attempt had been made to conceal the crack by covering it with cement mixture, which was later washed away by rain, exposing the full extent of the damage.
Concerned about the risk of accidents, particularly involving heavy vehicles, residents erected barricades around the damaged section and restricted traffic movement on Monday evening.
The 1.4-kilometre Thanniyadi- Thadiyamvalappu road had been widened and macadamized following years of public demand before being opened recently. The appearance of serious structural damage within weeks of its inauguration has prompted demands for an inquiry into the quality of the construction.
Residents have called for immediate repair, a detailed technical inspection, and urgent measures to ensure the safety of road users and prevent further deterioration.
Published - June 09, 2026 03:10 pm IST
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