At least two people were killed, and seven others were injured after a sudden landslide struck a tunnel construction site in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday. The incident comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the district due to heavy rainfall. Scroll down to know more.
Video Captures Horrifying Kerala’s Wayanad Landslide
The video that is going viral showcases the landslide that occurred at Kalladi near Meppady, where construction was underway on a tunnel-like road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts. Multiple workers were trapped under the rubble when the landslide hit. As per a report by the Hindustan Times, some of the workers were reportedly missing too. In the video, it can be seen that the sudden landslide left many running for their lives, while some got trapped in the
Confirming the incident, Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan told the portal that two people had lost their lives in the horrifying incident. However, the rescue operations are currently underway. Following continuous heavy rainfall, the IMD issued a red alert for Wayanad, with severe showers reported from Mananthavady and Vythiri. The landslide occurred around 11 am, and the red alert was issued shortly after at 12:30 pm.
The neighbouring Kozhikode district has also been placed under a red alert, while Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod remain under an orange alert.
According to the IMD, a red alert refers to extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204 mm in 24 hours, while an orange alert signifies rainfall between 115 mm and 204 mm. A yellow alert is issued when rainfall is expected to range between 64 mm and 115 mm.
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6 Workers Injured; Rescue Operations Underway
If reports are to be believed, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police, the Forest Department, and local volunteers have been sent to the site to carry out rescue operations.
As a precaution, the district administration has begun evacuating families living close to the landslide zone due to the continuing heavy rains. The residents of a nearby colony have already been shifted to safer locations.
Kerala Agriculture Minister T. Siddique described the landslide as a “man-made disaster”, claiming that it resulted from the careless dumping of soil and debris during the tunnel construction.
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He added that six injured workers have been admitted to the hospital for treatment.
We hope everyone is safe in this tragic incident.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/Surya Reddy
FAQs
Why is Wayanad famous?
Wayanad, a lush hill station in Kerala's Western Ghats, is famous for its misty mountains; ancient Edakkal Caves with 6000 BC petroglyphs, and rich wildlife sanctuaries like Muthanga.
Is Wayanad and Munnar the same?
Munnar and Wayanad are two magnificent tourist places in Kerala, each with its unique charm.
Is Wayanad a hill station or beach?
Wayanad is a scenic hill station located in the Western Ghats mountains of northern Kerala, India.
