Wayanad landslide: Several people feared trapped at Kerala’s tunnel project site

Two people died and seven people are missing after a landslide at a tunnel construction site in Kerala’s Wayanad district, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said on Tuesday.

The landslide occurred at Kalladi near Meppady, where work on a tunnel road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts was underway. The incident took place after rubble from the construction site slid down following heavy rains, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) had said.

The injured have been admitted to a local hospital, while rescue operations are underway to trace those missing.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed for the rescue operation. The NDRF unit stationed at Meenangadi will reach the accident site immediately, while another team from Kozhikode has also been directed to proceed to Wayanad, the Kerala Chief Minister’s Office said.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Kalpetta have reached the site, and search operations are being carried out.

Earlier, authorities had feared that some people could be trapped under the debris following the landslide near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, PTI reported citing Fire and Rescue Services officials.

Several vehicles used to transport tunnel project employees were damaged in the landslide.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan spoke to the Wayanad District Collector over the phone to review the situation. Minister T Siddique and district officials are coordinating the rescue efforts and assessing the extent of the damage.