Wayanad, Kerala : A major landslide struck the Anakkompoyil–Meppadi tunnel project site near Kalladi in Kerala’s Wayanad district today, resulting in the death of one person and leaving seven others missing.
According to Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheeshan, seven people have been rescued, while search operations are continuing to trace the missing workers. The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, where construction of the tunnel road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts has been in progress since last year. The project site is located close to Mundakkai, an area severely affected by a devastating landslide in 2024.
Fire and Rescue Services officials stated that local residents rescued three workers before emergency response teams reached the site. The workers were reportedly staying near the tunnel construction area. Authorities expressed concern that additional individuals could be trapped under the debris, as the surrounding area also includes a few houses and homestays.
Rescue operations are being carried out by personnel from the Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The district administration has deployed the NDRF unit stationed at Meenangadi to the affected location, while an additional NDRF team from Kozhikode has also been dispatched to strengthen the rescue efforts.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) stated that continuous heavy rainfall triggered the collapse of excavated debris from the Kalladi tunnel work site, causing it to slide downhill and block nearby roads. Five injured persons were shifted to hospital for treatment.
The rescue operation remains underway, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation as efforts continue to locate the missing workers.
