Wayanad debris slide: Kerala CM Satheesan says detailed probe needed

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday (May 8, 2026) decided to conduct a detailed inquiry into the reasons that led to the debris slide triggered by torrential monsoon rains in the Meppadi-Kallady tunnel construction area in Wayanad on Tuesday (May 7, 2026).

Speaking at a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister VD Satheesan said the inquiry would be multi-pronged, focusing on both technical and legal aspects of the issue.

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“The Union government granted the environmental clearance after imposing around 50 conditions related to the construction activities. The investigation will look into whether the company implementing the project complied with them. We have also received preliminary reports that there has been a landslide in the area above the project site. The investigation will also look into the reasons that led to the debris slide. Work on the project will resume only after that,” he said.

Mr Satheesan said the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government and its supporters “targeted” him when he, as the leader of the opposition, raised concerns about the implementation of the tunnel project in a sensitive and fragile region like Wayanad.

“The CPI(M) cyber handles painted me as a political leader opposed to the development when I raised these concerns. When the state government initially got a committee to look into the impact of the project, it said that such a project should never be implemented. The Union government took a similar stance. But the state government once again mounted pressure, after which the Union government imposed sanctions after stipulating that the project would go ahead with around 50 conditions.

At least three people were killed and several were reported missing when a huge pile of excavated mud flooded the portal of an under-construction road tunnel in Wayanad on Tuesday.

Mr Satheesan is set to visit the Kalladi area where the debris slide occurred later on Wednesday.

Published – 08 Jul 2026 11:37 IST