Holiday declared for Wayanad educational institutions tomorrow following IMD red alert

Kalpetta (Kerala): The Wayanad District Collector has declared a holiday on Wednesday for all educational institutions in the district, including nurseries and professional colleges. The decision follows a red alert issued for Wayanad on Tuesday, with the Collector urging the public to maintain extreme vigilance. Citizens have been strictly advised against entering rivers or waterlogged areas for bathing or any other activities, and to avoid non-essential travel.

Meanwhile, the death toll has reportedly risen to four after a massive landslide struck near the twin-tunnel road project site at Kalladi in Wayanad amidst relentless torrential downpours. The landslide also destroyed a concrete retaining wall constructed for the tunnel project. Emergency teams have successfully rescued six people who were trapped under the debris and shifted them to a hospital. However, seven individuals remain missing, and it is feared that they are still trapped beneath the soil.

Rescue operations are currently underway on a war footing. During the rescue efforts, the Meppadi Sub-Inspector (SI) sustained injuries and has been hospitalised. Wayanad has been experiencing extremely heavy rainfall since Monday, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a Red Alert for both Kozhikode and Wayanad districts on Tuesday.

The landslide occurred near the Meenakshi Bridge, where the tunnel construction is taking place. Although construction work had been suspended on Monday due to the severe weather, individuals present in the vicinity were caught in the landslide. Several vehicles have also been buried under the mud. Fire and Rescue Services have initiated emergency operations, and Disaster Management teams are en route to the site.

The region had experienced continuous heavy downpours throughout Monday and early Tuesday morning, with the disaster striking shortly after high-alert warnings were issued for the construction zone.