Debris clearance underway following landslide at Wayanad-Kalladi tunnel construction site amid heavy rainfall, in Wayanad on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 | Photo Credit: ANI

At least three people were reported dead, and several others remain missing after a massive mudslide, triggered by torrential monsoon rains, struck a tunnel construction site near Meenakshi Bridge in Wayanad on Tuesday.

Officials said 18 people were caught in the incident. Five were rescued alive from the debris, while 10 injured persons have been admitted to WIMS Hospital in Meppadi for treatment. Those affected include workers on the tunnel road project, security personnel, and supervisory staff.

Rescue operations underway at tunnel project site

The mudslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge before noon, where construction of the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi twin tunnel project is underway. Once completed, the project is expected to improve connectivity between the Malappuram and Wayanad districts.

A large-scale rescue operation is underway involving personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kerala Police and Fire and Rescue Services to trace those still missing.

The rescue efforts are focused on the temporary quarters of labourers working on the tunnel project. Construction activities had already been suspended after authorities issued a stop-work memo due to heavy monsoon rains.

Officials cite soil accumulation as possible cause

The accident site is located near Mundakkai, the area worst affected during the devastating Wayanad landslides of 2024.

Government officials said preliminary findings indicate that the mudslide was caused by unscientifically stacked excavated soil. They alleged that the contractor’s failure to remove the accumulated earth in a timely manner contributed to the disaster.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan reviewed the situation and directed Ministers A.P. Anil Kumar and T. Siddique to proceed immediately to Wayanad to oversee the rescue operations.

Environmental clearance conditions under scrutiny

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had earlier granted clearance for the tunnel project, subject to 24 stringent conditions aimed at minimising environmental damage. These included clear demarcation of diverted forest land, compensatory afforestation on an equivalent extent of non-forest land, and planting at least 1,000 saplings per hectare within two years.

Political leaders express concern

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the incident and urged authorities to make every possible effort to rescue those still trapped.

“The news of the landslide in Wayanad is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected. Relief and rescue operations are underway, and every possible effort is being made to reach those still trapped. I appeal to all Congress and UDF workers to extend any assistance,” he said in a post on X.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MP, Wayanad, also said in a post on X that all possible efforts were being made to rescue those trapped in the landslide.

Dilip Buildcon Ltd, the contractors for the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi Tunnel project said that it is being executed in strict compliance with all applicable engineering, safety and environmental approvals and protocols. Given its location in an ecologically sensitive region, the project is subject to multiple regulatory oversights and monitoring mechanisms, including supervision by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee, and all excavated material is handled in accordance with the approved methodology.

With such additional and strict compliance procedures the room for technical error remains very limited, the company said in a filing to the BSE.

The incident occurred during an active monsoon spell, amid exceptionally heavy rainfall in Wayanad. The IMD had issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Kerala, while preliminary data from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority indicates that Wayanad received approximately 265 mm of rainfall in the preceding 24 hours-among the highest recorded in the district this monsoon season.

This is 9-10 times the rainfall of an average July rainy day and also well over one-third of Kerala’s average July rainfall occurring within just 24 hours. Wayanad, along with other hill districts of Kerala, has historically remained vulnerable to monsoon-induced landslides, the company said.

“We remain fully committed to cooperating with the investigation and will continue to share verified information as it becomes available. Our focus remains on supporting the rescue efforts and standing with the affected families during this difficult time”, it said.

Published on July 7, 2026