One Dead, Several Missing After Landslide Hits Wayanad Tunnel Project
A major landslide at an under-construction tunnel project in Kerala’s Wayanad district claimed the life of one worker and left seven others missing on Tuesday. This incident triggered an extensive rescue operation involving multiple agencies. The landslide occurred near Kalladi, close to Meppady, where work was underway on a tunnel road connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts.
According to officials from the Fire and Rescue Services, the landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge, burying parts of the workers’ camp and damaging several vehicles used to transport workers to the construction site. Local residents rushed to the area immediately after the incident and successfully rescued at least three workers before emergency teams arrived.
Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were quickly deployed to carry out search and rescue operations. Heavy machinery has also been brought in to clear the debris as rescuers continue searching for those believed to be trapped beneath the soil and rubble.
Following the incident, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan convened an emergency meeting with Wayanad Minister T. Siddique and senior officials. The Chief Minister directed Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar and Minister Siddique to immediately go to Wayanad to oversee the rescue efforts and ensure all possible assistance is provided to those affected.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique described the landslide as a “man-made disaster,” alleging that the collapse resulted from unscientific dumping of excavated soil and mud associated with the ongoing tunnel project. He noted that concerns about the dumping practices had reportedly been raised in earlier meetings, but adequate corrective measures had not been implemented.
The minister also stated that six injured workers have been admitted to nearby hospitals for treatment, while additional NDRF teams from Kozhikode and Wayanad have been mobilized to strengthen the rescue operation.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the collapse, and an investigation is expected to take place once the rescue operations conclude. As search efforts continue, officials remain focused on locating the missing workers and ensuring the safety of rescue personnel at the site. The incident has raised serious questions about construction safety and environmental practices in landslide-prone regions like Wayanad.
