Wayanad (Kerala), July 7: A major rescue operation was launched on Tuesday after a massive landslide triggered by torrential monsoon rains struck Kalladi near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district, burying parts of an under-construction tunnel road project and raising fears that several people may be trapped under the debris.
The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, close to the entrance of the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel road project, which is being constructed to improve connectivity between Kozhikode and Wayanad.
Officials said at least five people were rescued alive from the debris and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The rescue operation is centred around temporary accommodation used by labourers engaged in the tunnel project, where several workers were reportedly present when the landslide struck.
Teams of the Fire and Rescue Services, including personnel from Kalpetta, rushed to the site and launched search and rescue operations amid challenging weather conditions.
Authorities said there were apprehensions that more people could be trapped beneath the debris, though the exact number was yet to be ascertained.
Officials added that work on the tunnel project had already been suspended after authorities issued a stop memo owing to heavy monsoon rains, but the landslide struck the project area despite the precautionary measure.
Rescue teams, assisted by local authorities and emergency responders, continued efforts to locate any missing workers as heavy rainfall persisted in the region. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation. (Agencies)
