- A landslide in Wayanad killed two and trapped several amid heavy rain since Monday night
- The incident occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at a tunnel project site connecting Malappuram and Wayanad
- Rescue teams, including NDRF and Fire Services, are searching for more trapped individuals in the debris
A major landslide triggered by continuous heavy rainfall struck Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday, killing two people and triggering a large-scale rescue operation, with authorities fearing that several others may still be trapped beneath the debris.
The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, close to the site of the ongoing Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts. Construction workers were present in the area when the incident took place.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with local residents stepping in to help and pulling people to safety. Officials currently fear that around 10 people may still be trapped under the debris. Meanwhile, six injured people have been admitted to hospital for treatment.
Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Services rushed to the location, while National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams also joined the rescue operations. Speaking with the reporters, Kerala Revenue Minister AP Anil Kumar informed that the rescue operation has started and a team of 30 NDRF personnel reached the spot.
Authorities said the area recorded 265 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, with incessant rain believed to have triggered the landslide. A few vehicles used for transporting tunnel project workers were damaged in the incident.
Chief Minister Holds Emergency Meeting After Wayanad Landslide
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Tuesday convened an emergency meeting with Kerala Agriculture Minister T Siddique after Wayanad landslide.
Following the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to carry out rescue and relief operations on a war footing.
He added, "The District Collector is present at the site. I, along with State Minister AP Anil Kumar, am going to the site. Konkan Railways was directed to take necessary action about this earlier, but no action was taken by them. Such things cannot be tolerated because two years ago, 298 people lost their lives in a landslide at Mundakkai."
IMD Issues Red Alert For Wayanad
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday after Mananthavady and Vythiri recorded heavy rainfall and a landslide struck the Kalladi tunnel project site around 11 am.
A red alert was also declared in neighbouring Kozhikode district, while Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod were placed under orange alert.
According to official data, Mananthavady received 64 mm of rain and Vythiri recorded 123 mm during the day. The weather department defines a red alert as extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204 mm in 24 hours, while an orange alert denotes rainfall between 115 mm and 204 mm. A yellow alert is issued when rainfall is expected to range between 64 mm and 115 mm.
Wayanad's Long History Of Landslides
Landslides have caused problems in Wayanad many times in the past, with the district witnessing several deadly incidents over the decades.
The most devastating in recent memory occurred on July 30, 2024, when massive landslides struck Wayanad. Most of the victims were asleep when the landslides hit between 1:30 am and 4:00 am.
The landslide spanned an area of 86,000 square meters, with the crown located at approximately 1,550 meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL). The debris flow extended for about 8 kilometers. According to official records, 298 people were killed in the disaster.
Wayanad's history of landslides stretches back several decades. Among the notable incidents was the Mundakkai debris flow of 1984, which claimed 14 lives and destroyed prime agricultural land. In 1992, the Kappikkalam landslide near Padinjarethara claimed 11 lives. Another major incident, the Valamthode landslide on June 23, 2007, resulted in four deaths.
Why Is Wayanad Highly Vulnerable?
Wayanad, a landlocked district in Kerala, is part of the Western Ghats and has been identified as one of the state's most landslide-prone regions.
Nearly 17,000 square kilometres of land in Kerala, mostly along the western side of the Western Ghats, has been mapped as landslide-prone. Research has determined that Wayanad is the district most susceptible to landslides in Kerala.
The district is situated at the southern tip of the Deccan Plateau and forms part of the Western Ghats mountain range. In addition to landslides, Wayanad is vulnerable to various natural disasters and is classified under Zone III, a Moderate Risk Damage Zone with regard to earthquakes.
The hill ranges bordering Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts are particularly susceptible to landslides. The Wayanad-Kozhikode border has also been identified by the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) as one of the most landslide-prone areas in Kerala.
