At least three people were killed and seven others remain missing after a massive landslide struck near a tunnel construction site in Kerala’s Wayanad district, where heavy rainfall has battered the region over the past several days.
Eight people sustained injuries in the incident and were admitted to Meppadi WIMS Hospital for treatment. Authorities said the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue to search for those believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge, where work is underway on the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi twin tunnel project, which is expected to connect the districts of Malappuram and Wayanad upon completion. The site is located close to Mundakkai, one of the worst-affected areas during the devastating 2024 Wayanad landslides.
According to a government official, the missing are believed to include engineers and security personnel. The official noted that a larger tragedy may have occurred had full-scale construction work been underway at the time of the incident.
Heavy Rain Triggers Rescue Operations
According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), Wayanad recorded around 265 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours, the highest rainfall recorded in the district this monsoon season. A Red Alert remains in effect for Wayanad and Kozhikode districts.
Videos circulating on social media showed torrents of mud and debris rushing down the hillside, uprooting trees and sweeping away everything in their path. One video also showed a large fuel tanker being carried away by the landslide while people ran to safety.
Local residents initially carried out rescue efforts before fire and rescue teams from Kalpetta reached the site. Multiple teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also joined the rescue operation.
Kerala Minister Calls It a ‘Man-Made’ Landslide
Kerala Agriculture Minister T. Siddique alleged that the landslide was not a natural disaster but the result of improper construction practices by the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), which is executing the tunnel project.
“This is not a natural landslide. This is a man-made landslide. This occurred due to an unscientific way of accumulating mud there,” Siddique said.
He claimed that the district collector had previously warned Konkan Railway authorities about the risk of a landslide and instructed them to remove the accumulated debris.
“The Konkan Railway authorities were told to remove this debris. But it was not done,” the minister said, adding that such lapses were unacceptable given that 298 people lost their lives in the 2024 Mundakkai landslide.
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According to a report by The News Minute, soil excavated during tunnel construction had been piled on one side of the project site and was washed downhill by floodwaters, triggering the disaster.
Once completed, the Anakkampoyil-Meppadi tunnel will become Kerala’s longest road tunnel and the third-longest in India.
Government Steps Up Rescue Efforts
Following the incident, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan convened an emergency meeting. Agriculture Minister T. Siddique and Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar have been deputed to Wayanad to oversee rescue and relief operations.
Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said rescue efforts were being carried out on a war footing.
“At a time like this, we need to ensure that relief and rescue efforts are not hampered, and we ensure all possible help without causing any distractions,” she said.
Why Wayanad Is Vulnerable to Landslides
Wayanad’s mountainous terrain has witnessed several devastating landslides over the years and is considered Kerala’s most landslide-prone district. The region also falls under Seismic Zone III.
The memory of the 2024 disaster remains fresh, when landslides in Chooralmala, Mundakkai and Punchirimattom destroyed entire settlements. The state government officially reported 298 deaths, although many local residents claimed the actual toll was significantly higher.
Over the decades, Wayanad has experienced several major landslides, including the Mundakkai landslide in 1984, the Kappikkalam landslide in 1992 that claimed 11 lives, and the Valamthode landslide in 2007.
