Landslide hits tunnel project under construction in Kerala’s Wayanad; several workers feared imprisonment | Today’s news
Rescue and relief operations are underway in Kerala’s Wayanad district after a major landslide was reported at the construction site of the Kalladi tunnel on Tuesday due to heavy rains. According to officials, the landslide occurred near the Meenakshi Bridge in Kalladi, where work was underway on the tunnel road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts.
Officials said local residents rescued three people from the site where workers associated with the tunnel project were staying.
In addition, several vehicles transporting tunnel employees were damaged in the landslide.
Landslide hits Wayanad
Police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel were also deployed in the rescue operation. Local media reported that at least 30 people may have been trapped inside.
Work for Anakkompoyil-Meppadi began last year, connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts.
Residents said large earthmoving machines would be needed to remove the soil and begin the search operation.
The authority said work on the tunnel project had been suspended since Monday.
People injured in the incident were moving around the construction site when the debris slid down, KSDMA officials said.
2024 landslide in Wayanad
The Hill District of Wayanad has a long history of landslides and other natural disasters during the monsoon season. In 2024, a large landslide hit Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad, killing 254 people and injuring 397. A total of 118 people were also missing after the landslide in the early hours of July 30 and are believed to have been buried alive in the rubble.
