Wayanad (Kerala): A devastating landslide triggered by relentless torrential downpours has claimed three lives at the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi twin-tunnel road construction site near Meppadi. The disaster struck as the India Meteorological Department issued an extremely heavy rainfall warning (Red Alert) for Wayanad district, hugely complicating ongoing rescue efforts.


‘People under debris are first priority’

Following the confirmation of the fatalities, Revenue Minister A P Anil Kumar reiterated that all state resources are locked onto emergency response. "If anyone is trapped under the soil, finding and rescuing them is our primary priority. Other matters will be informed later," Minister Anil Kumar stated.


Jurisdictional and safety concerns raised

In the wake of the tragedy, the Public Works Department (PWD) Minister clarified the project's oversight structure. The tunnel's construction was initiated following clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The executing agency, Konkan Railway, holds the complete engineering responsibility, meaning the Kerala PWD has no operational control or direct supervision over the site. The minister added that the current contract was finalized during the tenure of the previous government.


Prior warnings and inspections

Public Works Department Minister P K Basheer disclosed that the project's safety and operational parameters were reviewed in an online meeting as recently on June 12.

Following that meeting, a high-level inspection team, comprising Additional Secretaries Athira IAS, Vinod IAS and Chief Engineers, had visited the site. Upon discovering massive mounds of excavated soil piled at the location, the team issued strict, non-negotiable instructions to the Konkan Railway authorities. They demanded that all construction operations be halted during heavy rains and that the accumulated soil be cleared immediately to avert hazards.

Emergency response teams, including local residents, police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are working on a war footing to locate any remaining survivors trapped beneath the debris.