Wayanad, July 8: Rescue operations continued for a second consecutive day at the Kalladi–Anakkampoyil tunnel construction site near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district, where a massive landslide triggered by intense monsoon rainfall has claimed more lives. Authorities confirmed that the death toll has increased as rescue teams recovered additional bodies from beneath the debris, while several workers are still believed to be missing.
The landslide struck the tunnel construction site after continuous heavy rainfall caused a large section of earth, rocks, and construction debris to collapse onto the work area. The sudden slide buried heavy machinery, damaged project vehicles, and trapped workers before they could escape. Officials said unstable ground conditions and persistent rain have made rescue efforts extremely challenging.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, Police, Forest Department, and the State Disaster Management Authority have been working around the clock using excavators, sniffer dogs, drones, and other specialised equipment to search for those still trapped beneath the rubble. Additional rescue personnel have been deployed to accelerate the operation despite the difficult terrain.
The Kerala government has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives in the disaster. Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan has directed all departments to extend every possible assistance to the affected families and ensure uninterrupted rescue and relief operations. He also stated that work on the tunnel project will remain suspended until a detailed investigation into the cause of the landslide is completed.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. Officials are examining whether continuous heavy rainfall alone caused the collapse or whether construction practices and the dumping of excavated soil contributed to the disaster. Some state ministers have described the incident as a possible “man-made” tragedy, while the construction company has maintained that extreme rainfall was the primary cause.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast further heavy rainfall across parts of Kerala, prompting authorities to advise residents in landslide-prone regions to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel. Rescue teams remain hopeful of locating the missing workers as the search operation continues under challenging weather conditions.
News as reported
