A major landslide struck Kalladi near Meppady in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation at the site of the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project. The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge, where construction work on the tunnel connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts has been underway since last year, raising fears that several people could still be trapped under the debris.
At least three people were killed, seven were injured, and seven others are missing after the landslide. However, news agency ANI reported that the death toll has increased to two.
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued Red Alert to Wayanad following heavy rains and landslide. The alert was issued at 12.30 pm after the landslide at the Kalladi tunnel project site in Wayanad at around 11 am.
#WATCH | Keralam | Two people have died and seven people are missing in the Wayanad landslide incident. Teams of NDRF, Police, Fire Department and other govt agencies are involved in the search and rescue mission pic.twitter.com/hTGiKPWJuc
— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2026
Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Kalpetta rushed to the spot soon after the incident, while police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams joined the rescue effort. Local residents also assisted emergency responders during the initial phase of the operation.
Six workers rescued as rescue operation gathers pace
According to officials, local residents initially rescued three people from the site before emergency teams arrived. Agriculture Minister and Kalpetta MLA T Siddique later said six workers had been rescued and admitted to a private medical college in Meppadi for treatment.
The affected area includes accommodation used by workers associated with the tunnel project, as well as a few houses and homestays, prompting authorities to verify whether more people remain trapped. Several vehicles used to transport tunnel workers were also damaged in the landslide.
Rescue personnel continued clearing debris and carrying out searches as officials worked to ascertain the number of people who may still be missing.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the news is deeply distressing and called upon the government to make every possible effort to reach out to those who are still trapped.
“The news of the landslide in Wayanad is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.
Minister raises concerns over construction safety
T Siddique alleged that the incident was not a natural landslide but resulted from unscientific dumping of loose soil at the project site. He said the state government had earlier directed the Konkan Railway Corporation to halt construction activities during periods of heavy rainfall and ensure all necessary safety measures were in place.
The minister added that the NDRF team stationed in Wayanad had already reached the site, while additional rescue teams from Kozhikode and Kannur were deployed to strengthen the ongoing search operation.
Project under spotlight amid monsoon challenges
The Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project is a major infrastructure initiative intended to improve connectivity between Malappuram and Wayanad districts. Tuesday’s incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with executing large infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive and landslide-prone regions during the southwest monsoon.
Minister T Siddique and the Wayanad District Collector are monitoring the rescue operation as authorities continue efforts to locate anyone who may still be trapped beneath the debris. Further details are awaited as rescue operations remain underway.
(With inputs from PTI)