Rescue operations continued for a second day in Kerala’s Wayanad district after a massive landslide struck the under-construction Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi twin tunnel project on Tuesday. The disaster, triggered by intense monsoon rainfall, claimed the lives of at least three migrant workers, while several others sustained injuries. Search teams are still working to locate workers who remain missing beneath the debris.
The landslide occurred near the Kalladi section of the ambitious tunnel project, which is designed to improve connectivity between Kozhikode and Wayanad. Heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours saturated the hillside, causing huge volumes of mud, rocks, and construction debris to collapse onto the work site. Rescue personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police, and local volunteers have been deployed to the area despite challenging weather conditions. Sniffer dogs, excavators, and other heavy equipment are being used to search for survivors trapped under the debris.
Continuous rain and unstable ground have complicated rescue efforts, forcing teams to proceed with extreme caution to avoid further landslides. Authorities have restricted access to the affected area while geologists monitor the stability of nearby slopes. Hospitals in the region remain on alert to provide emergency treatment to rescued workers.
The incident has also sparked a debate over construction practices in ecologically fragile mountain regions. Kerala government officials have suggested that unscientific dumping of excavated earth and inadequate site management may have contributed to the disaster, while the construction company has denied any technical fault and stated that the landslide originated from higher terrain above the project site. A formal investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the tragedy and assess whether safety protocols were followed.
As rescue operations continue, the state government has assured full support to the affected families and pledged a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. Authorities have also urged residents in vulnerable hilly regions to remain alert as heavy monsoon rains are expected to persist over the coming days.
news as reported
