Wayanad: A major rescue operation is underway in Kerala’s Wayanad district after a landslide struck a tunnel road project site at Kalladi near Meppady on Tuesday, leaving several people feared trapped beneath the debris.
According to Fire and Rescue Services officials, the landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge, where construction of a tunnel road connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts was in progress. Officials said workers associated with the tunnel project were staying at the site when the incident took place.
Local residents rescued at least three people before emergency teams reached the site. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said at least five people were injured and no fatalities had been reported as of the latest update. A few vehicles used to transport tunnel workers were also damaged in the landslide.
Police personnel and teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed, and rescue operations are continuing amid concerns that more people may be trapped under the debris.
Following the incident, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan convened an emergency meeting with Wayanad Minister T. Siddique and directed him to coordinate rescue efforts. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar and Minister Siddique have been instructed to proceed to Wayanad immediately to oversee relief operations.
Agriculture Minister T. Siddique described the incident as a consequence of “unscientific dumping” linked to the ongoing tunnel project. He said the disaster could have been avoided if earlier warnings had been acted upon, adding that NDRF teams from Kozhikode and Wayanad were on their way and efforts were focused on locating those feared trapped and coordinating rescue operations.
Rescue efforts were continuing at the time of filing this report, with authorities yet to confirm the exact number of people trapped.
