Landslide in Wayanad, Kerala: Two Dead, Seven Missing Near Tunnel Project

A significant landslide occurred in Wayanad, Kerala, near a tunnel construction site.

A significant landslide occurred in Wayanad, Kerala, near a tunnel construction site.

A significant landslide occurred in Wayanad, Kerala, near a tunnel construction site.

WAYANAD: At least two people were killed, six others were injured and another seven remain missing after a landslide struck Kalladi near Meppady in Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday. The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge, where construction was underway on the proposed Wayanad–Malappuram tunnel road project. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams rushed to the site and launched rescue operations. Search efforts are underway to trace the missing. Keralam health minister K Muraleedharan confirmed the death of two persons in the incident. "Two deaths are confirmed. After road clearance, rescue work will be completed. We have directed all hospitals in Wayanad for the treatment of the labourers who were from outside Keralam. The primary report suggests there were no local people affected in the incident, " said Muraleedharan to news agency ANI. The health minister further said that directions have been given to hospitals in Wayanad for treatment, and ambulance services have been deployed at the site. According to officials, local residents rescued three people from the affected area, where workers associated with the tunnel project were staying. The site also has a few houses and homestays, raising concerns that more people could be trapped. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said five people were injured after rubble from the tunnel construction site slid down following heavy rain. Several vehicles used to transport tunnel workers were also damaged in the landslide. An NDRF team stationed at Meenangadi has been rushed to the site, while another team from Kozhikode has been directed to assist in the rescue efforts. The rescue operation is being coordinated by Wayanad district authorities and state minister T Siddique, who is monitoring the situation along with the district collector to determine if anyone remains trapped. The CMO said chief minister VD Satheeshan reviewed the situation with the Wayanad district collector over the phone and later held an emergency meeting. He directed revenue minister AP Anil Kumar and minister T Siddique to proceed to Wayanad immediately to oversee rescue and relief operations. Reacting to the incident, Keralam minister T Siddique alleged that the landslide at Kalladi in Wayanad was a "man-made" disaster caused by negligence, claiming that authorities had warned Konkan Railways about the risk in advance but no preventive action was taken. He said six people were seriously injured in the incident, while NDRF teams have been deployed and search and rescue operations are underway. Siddique 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 the 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. " A red alert was issued by the IMD in Wayanad, where very heavy rainfall was received in Mananthavady and Vythiri areas during the day.(With agency inputs)