Several Feared Trapped; Here’s the Latest Situation in Wayanad

A devastating landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad district has claimed the lives of three workers, while rescue teams continue searching for several others feared trapped beneath mud and debris. The incident occurred at Kalladi, where a tunnel construction project had been temporarily suspended due to persistent heavy rainfall.

According to local officials, the landslide struck at around 10 a.m. after days of intense monsoon showers weakened the hillside. A large volume of soil, mixed with rainwater and loose earth from the excavation site, swept into temporary shelters where workers had been staying.

Eyewitnesses identified the deceased workers as Vikas, Anmol and Chandrabanu. Nine injured workers were rushed to a nearby hospital, and officials said their condition is stable. Rescue personnel believe several more workers may still be buried under the debris, with search operations continuing at the site.

Authorities said construction work had been halted two days before the incident because of adverse weather conditions. However, some workers remained in temporary accommodation near the project area when the landslide occurred.

Residents believe the decision to suspend construction may have prevented an even larger tragedy. They said the site usually accommodates more than 100 workers, but only around 20 to 25 people were present when the landslide struck.

Wayanad has witnessed repeated landslides during the monsoon season in recent years. Local communities say the district, one of Kerala’s highest rainfall regions, remains highly vulnerable to such disasters, particularly during July when rainfall is at its peak.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local authorities and volunteers are working around the clock to locate those still missing. Rescue crews are also clearing debris and restoring access to the affected area as weather conditions gradually improve.