The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has indicated that the catastrophic landslides in Wayanad during July 2024 might have played a significant role in the recent collapse of the Reinforced Earth (RE) retaining wall along National Highway 66 at Kooriyad in Malappuram district, Kerala.
The highway segment, crucial for regional connectivity, passes through reclaimed paddy fields vulnerable to waterlogging and soil instability — conditions that were exacerbated by prolonged flooding following the landslides. According to official sources, the RE walls on the right and left sides of the NH 66 stretch at Kooriyad were constructed in early 2024, well before the intense rains and landslides struck Wayanad. However, the ensuing natural disaster, considered among the worst floods in recent Kerala history, triggered sustained waterlogging in the area, severely compromising the integrity of the soil strata supporting the highway infrastructure. This waterlogging persisted for several weeks, with floodwaters reaching over 30 centimetres in depth along the service road adjacent to the highway.
The NHAI report submitted to the Kerala High Court highlights the complex interplay between extreme weather events and infrastructure resilience in ecologically sensitive zones. The Wayanad landslides unleashed not only devastation within the district but also generated significant downstream hydrological impacts on areas like Malappuram, where Kooriyad is located. The presence of Panampuzha, a tributary of the Chaliyar river flowing through the reclaimed paddy fields at Kooriyad, further compounds the vulnerability of this stretch of NH 66 to waterlogging and soil erosion.
Officials explained that the soil weakening due to prolonged saturation likely precipitated distress in the RE wall structure, culminating in its partial collapse. The retaining wall was designed to stabilise the highway embankment by reinforcing soil strength; however, the unprecedented hydrological stresses following the landslides appear to have overwhelmed these engineering measures. This incident underscores the necessity for enhanced risk assessments and adaptive infrastructure design that can withstand intensifying climate impacts. Kerala’s unique topography and heavy monsoon rainfall have historically posed challenges to road construction and maintenance, with climate change only heightening these pressures. The 2024 Wayanad landslides, triggered by incessant rains, resulted in widespread loss of life and property, with cascading effects extending beyond immediate landslide zones. The downstream flooding and water retention in Malappuram exemplify how natural disasters can generate ripple effects impacting critical transport corridors.
Urban and infrastructure planners now face the imperative of integrating climate resilience into future highway design, particularly in flood-prone and ecologically fragile zones. This includes reconsidering soil stabilisation techniques, employing more flexible engineering solutions, and incorporating real-time hydrological monitoring systems. The NHAI’s findings bring attention to the limits of conventional infrastructure in adapting to extreme weather events amplified by climate change. From a sustainability perspective, the NH 66 collapse at Kooriyad serves as a cautionary tale for balancing development with ecological sensitivity. The reclaimed paddy fields, once natural wetlands, act as important hydrological buffers that absorb and regulate floodwaters. Disrupting these natural systems through large-scale infrastructure without adequate safeguards risks magnifying disaster impacts. A gender-neutral and equitable approach to infrastructure development also emphasises safeguarding communities that rely on these transport links for livelihoods and essential services, underscoring the social dimensions of resilient urban planning.
Experts advocate a multi-disciplinary approach to such challenges, combining civil engineering, environmental science, and community engagement to co-create adaptive solutions. Proactive measures could include restoring wetland functions, enhancing drainage systems, and adopting nature-based solutions that complement hard infrastructure. These efforts align with India’s broader commitment to zero net carbon cities and climate-smart development. The incident has drawn attention to the need for rigorous environmental impact assessments prior to infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive zones. The timeline of construction works — with RE walls built months before the landslides — indicates that while engineering standards were presumably followed, the unprecedented scale of natural calamities tested the resilience of these structures. This calls for dynamic regulatory frameworks that can incorporate emerging climate data and risk projections.
As Kerala navigates its recovery from the 2024 floods, the lessons from NH 66’s distress will inform future planning paradigms. Transportation authorities and policymakers are urged to consider long-term climate scenarios, investing in infrastructure that not only supports mobility but also enhances ecological sustainability and social equity. In conclusion, while natural disasters such as the Wayanad landslides may have precipitated the NH 66 RE wall failure, the event highlights critical vulnerabilities in current infrastructure models. Strengthening adaptive capacity, prioritising eco-sensitive design, and fostering collaborative governance will be essential to safeguarding Kerala’s transport networks and communities in an era of climate uncertainty.
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