A landslide triggered by relentless rainfall struck an under-construction tunnel project site in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday, leaving two people dead and sparking an extensive rescue operation. Authorities fear around 10 people may still be trapped beneath the debris as rescue teams continue efforts at the accident site.
Rescue Efforts Intensify at Wayanad Tunnel Project
The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, close to the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project, which connects Malappuram and Wayanad districts.
Construction workers were present when the slope gave way, burying parts of the worksite under debris.
Residents nearby immediately joined rescue efforts, helping pull several workers to safety before emergency personnel arrived. Officials said around 10 people are feared trapped, while six injured workers have been admitted to hospital for treatment.
Fire and Rescue Services personnel reached the location soon after the incident, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also joining the operation.
Speaking to reporters, Kerala Revenue Minister AP Anil Kumar said rescue work had begun and confirmed that 30 NDRF personnel had reached the site.
Authorities said the area received 265 mm of rainfall during the previous 24 hours, and the continuous rain is believed to have triggered the landslide. Several vehicles used to transport tunnel project workers were also damaged.
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Chief Minister Orders Emergency Response
Following the landslide, Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan held an emergency meeting with Agriculture Minister T Siddique.
After reviewing the situation, the Chief Minister instructed officials to carry out rescue and relief operations on a war footing. He also directed AP Anil Kumar and T Siddique to travel immediately to Wayanad and supervise the rescue mission.
The Chief Minister further stated that one person had died, seven were injured and seven remained missing after the landslide at the Kalladi tunnel project site.
He also alleged that the tunnel project’s contractor failed to comply with a June 20 directive issued by the District Collector and the Disaster Management Authority, which had ordered the removal of soil from the construction site.
Kerala Minister Calls Incident a “Man-Made Landslide”
Authorities Had Issued Earlier Warning
Agriculture Minister T Siddique described the incident as a “man-made” landslide, alleging negligence and claiming that authorities had already warned Konkan Railways about the risk at the construction site.
He said all six injured people were in stable condition and accused the railway agency of ignoring earlier warnings. Siddique also compared the incident with the 2024 Mundakkai landslide, which claimed 298 lives.
Speaking to reporters, he said:
“It is not a natural landslide, but a man-made landslide. It is a clear case of lapse. Six people are seriously injured, and they are admitted to the hospital. Their condition is stable. We will continue search and rescue at the site in Kalladi. The District Collector had given in writing to Konkan Railways regarding the chance of a landslide at the site. Two teams comprising a total of 60 NDRF personnel from Wayanad and Kozhikode have been directed to the site.”
He further added:
“The District Collector is present at the site. I, along with State Minister AP Anil Kumar, am going to the site. Konkan Railways was directed to take necessary action about this earlier, but no action was taken by them. Such things cannot be tolerated because two years ago, 298 people lost their lives in a landslide at Mundakkai.”
IMD Issues Red Alert for Wayanad
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Wayanad on Tuesday after heavy rainfall and the landslide at the Kalladi tunnel project site, which occurred around 11 am.
A red alert was also issued for neighbouring Kozhikode, while Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod were placed under an orange alert.
According to official figures:
- Mananthavady: 64 mm rainfall
- Vythiri: 123 mm rainfall
The IMD defines:
- Red Alert: Rainfall exceeding 204 mm in 24 hours
- Orange Alert: 115 mm to 204 mm
- Yellow Alert: 64 mm to 115 mm
Wayanad’s Repeated Landslide Tragedies
Wayanad has witnessed several deadly landslides over the years.
The worst recent disaster occurred on July 30, 2024, when massive landslides struck the district while most residents were asleep between 1:30 am and 4:00 am.
The disaster affected an area measuring 86,000 square metres, with the landslide crown located about 1,550 metres above Mean Sea Level (MSL). The debris travelled nearly 8 kilometres, and official records show that 298 people lost their lives.
Other major landslide incidents include:
- 1984 Mundakkai debris flow: 14 deaths and extensive damage to agricultural land.
- 1992 Kappikkalam landslide near Padinjarethara: 11 deaths.
- June 23, 2007 Valamthode landslide: Four deaths.
Why Wayanad Remains Landslide-Prone
Located in Kerala’s Western Ghats, Wayanad is regarded as one of the state’s most vulnerable districts for landslides.
Nearly 17,000 square kilometres across Kerala, mainly along the western slopes of the Western Ghats, has been identified as landslide-prone, with research indicating that Wayanad is the district at the highest risk.
The district lies at the southern edge of the Deccan Plateau and is also classified under Zone III, a Moderate Risk Damage Zone for earthquakes.
The hill ranges shared by Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode are particularly susceptible to landslides. The Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) has also identified the Wayanad-Kozhikode border as one of Kerala’s most landslide-prone regions.
Conclusion
Rescue teams continue searching for those feared trapped after the landslide at the Kalladi tunnel project site in Wayanad. As authorities respond to the immediate emergency, questions have also been raised over compliance with earlier safety warnings, while heavy rainfall continues to pose a significant threat across the region.
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