Wayanad: Three migrant workers died and five others remained missing after a landslip struck the construction site of the Anakkampoyil, Kalladi, Meppadi twin tunnel road project in Kerala on Tuesday. Rescue teams continued search operations as authorities assessed the extent of the damage.
The incident occurred near Kalladi, about five kilometres from the site of the 2024 Mundakkai and Chooralmala landslide. Following heavy rainfall of more than 200 mm within 24 hours, mud and debris swept through the construction area, damaging vehicles, machinery and nearby structures.
The deceased were identified as Chandraban from Madhya Pradesh, Bikash Kumar from Bihar and Anmol from Jharkhand. Officials said 18 people were caught in the mudslide. Ten sustained injuries. Five remained under treatment at WIMS Hospital in Meppadi, including two patients in the intensive care unit. Three injured people were discharged.
The mudslide also washed away a mosque prayer hall near Meenakshi Bridge and partially damaged a nearby house. The road linking several localities beyond the bridge was cut off until rescue teams reopened access using heavy machinery.
State Minister P. A. Mohamed Riyas Siddique described the incident as a man made disaster and blamed the unscientific dumping of excavated soil at the project site. He said the government had earlier warned project officials about the risks posed by large piles of excavated earth and would examine why those directions were not followed.
Project officials disputed the claim and said the slope failure began outside the tunnel construction area.
The Rs 2,134 crore twin tunnel project, financed by KIIFB and executed by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd with Dilip Buildcon handling construction, passes through the Vellarimala mountain range. Environmental concerns over the project had been raised earlier, although the Supreme Court declined to halt the work in April 2026.
