5 Dead In Landslide At Tunnel Project Site In Kerala's Wayanad

Xtreme News India   07-07-2026 21:05:14   258934615

5 Dead In Landslide At Tunnel Project Site In Kerala's Wayanad 

Wayanad (Warta) - After RainThe landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, close to the site of the ongoing Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts.

A major landslide struck Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday after the region witnessed continuous heavy rainfall since Monday night, triggering a rescue operation amid fears that several people could be trapped beneath the debris. The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, close to the site of the ongoing Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts. 

A major landslide triggered by continuous heavy rainfall struck Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday, killing at least five people and triggering a large-scale rescue operation, with authorities fearing that several others may still be trapped beneath the debris. The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, close to the site of the ongoing Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts. Construction workers were present in the area when the incident took place. 

Rescue operations were launched immediately, with local residents stepping in to help and pulling people to safety. Officials currently fear that around 10 people may still be trapped under the debris. Meanwhile, six injured people have been admitted to hospital for treatment. Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Services rushed to the location, while National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams also joined the rescue operations. Speaking with the reporters, Kerala Revenue Minister AP Anil Kumar informed that the rescue operation has started and a team of 30 NDRF personnel reached the spot. Authorities said the area recorded 265 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, with incessant rain believed to have triggered the landslide. A few vehicles used for transporting tunnel project workers were damaged in the incident.

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Tuesday convened an emergency meeting with Kerala Agriculture Minister T Siddique after Wayanad landslide.

Following the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to carry out rescue and relief operations on a war footing. Meanwhile, Kerala Minister T Siddique alleged that the landslide in Wayanad was "man-made" and the result of negligence, claiming that authorities had previously warned Konkan Railways about the risk of a landslide at the site. He further informed that six injured people were in stable condition and accused the railways of failing to act despite prior warnings, drawing parallels with the 2024 Mundakkai landslide in Wayanad that killed 298 people. Speaking with the reporters, the minister 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."