At least two people were killed and five others were injured after a landslide struck near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi in Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday amid incessant heavy rainfall. The incident occurred close to the ongoing Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project linking Malappuram and Wayanad, where construction workers were present when a massive portion of earth and debris collapsed. The affected area lies near Chooralmala and Mundakkai, the region that witnessed Kerala's devastating landslide disaster in 2024, raising fresh concerns over safety in one of the state's most landslide-prone districts.

According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), five injured workers were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, while rescue operations were launched immediately after the landslide. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, assisted by local residents, worked continuously to search through the debris for survivors. Officials said nearly 10 people were feared trapped beneath the rubble, although the exact number was yet to be confirmed. Authorities added that construction work at the site had reportedly been suspended earlier due to heavy rainfall, with the area receiving more than 265 mm of rain during the previous 24 hours.

To strengthen the rescue efforts, two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising around 60 personnel from Wayanad and Kozhikode, were deployed to the site. Heavy machinery and specialised rescue equipment were pressed into service to remove debris and locate those missing. Officials said the priority remained rescuing those trapped while ensuring the safety of emergency personnel, as persistent rainfall and unstable ground conditions continued to pose challenges during the operation.

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Following the incident, Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan convened an emergency review meeting with Agriculture Minister T. Siddique, who represents the district. The Chief Minister directed officials to carry out rescue and relief measures on a war footing and instructed ministers to travel to Wayanad to personally monitor the situation. Meanwhile, Minister Siddique alleged that the landslide was the result of negligence rather than a natural disaster, claiming the district administration had earlier warned Konkan Railways about the landslide risk in writing but that preventive measures were not taken. He described the incident as a serious lapse and drew parallels with the 2024 Mundakkai landslide, which claimed 298 lives.

Wayanad, located in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, has witnessed several major landslides over the decades and remains one of Kerala's most vulnerable districts during the monsoon season. Experts have repeatedly highlighted the combined impact of intense rainfall, fragile hill slopes and developmental activities on the region's stability. With the India Meteorological Department forecasting continued heavy rain across parts of Kerala, authorities have urged residents living in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel through landslide-prone stretches and strictly follow evacuation and safety advisories issued by local officials.

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