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Kerala : A massive landslide at an under-construction tunnel project in Kerala’s Wayanad district has left one person dead and seven others missing, triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, police and local volunteers.
The incident occurred on Tuesday near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi in Meppady, where work was underway on a tunnel road linking Wayanad and Malappuram districts. The landslide struck an area where construction workers were staying, burying parts of the campsite under mud and debris.
Before rescue teams reached the spot, local residents rushed in and managed to pull at least three workers to safety. Several workers were also injured and shifted to nearby hospitals, while multiple vehicles used for transporting labourers were damaged in the collapse.
Rescue teams are racing against time, using heavy earth-moving equipment and specialised machinery to clear debris in the search for those feared trapped beneath the landslide. Officials say the operation remains challenging due to unstable terrain and the risk of further soil movement.
Following the tragedy, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan convened an emergency meeting and directed senior officials to coordinate rescue and relief efforts. The Chief Minister’s Office also instructed Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar and Wayanad Minister T. Siddique to reach the site and supervise the ongoing operation.
Meanwhile, Minister T. Siddique alleged that the disaster may have been caused by unscientific dumping of soil and debris during the tunnel construction. He claimed concerns over the dumping practices had been raised earlier but were not adequately addressed, describing the incident as a tragedy that could have been prevented.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether construction practices, environmental conditions or other factors contributed to the landslide. As the probe begins, rescue teams continue their desperate search for survivors while officials closely monitor the stability of the area to prevent further mishaps.
