NEW DELHI: Fresh CCTV footage from the landslide site near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi in Kerala’s Wayanad district has revealed dramatic scenes of panic and destruction after a large mass of debris came crashing down onto the road.The landslide struck near the site of the proposed tunnel road project connecting Wayanad and Malappuram districts, where construction work was underway.The newly surfaced video shows a huge wave of mud and debris rushing downhill as workers and bystanders run to save themselves. A large fuel tanker truck can also be seen being swept away by the debris, while several people appear to scramble for safety moments before the area is engulfed.According to videos circulating on social media, the landslide hit suddenly and triggered widespread panic among workers and local residents near the tunnel construction site.An eyewitness recalling the moment said, “We first heard a small sound, and everyone immediately ran out of the shop. At first, we saw a small portion of the soil sliding down… When we heard the sound and came outside, the small landslide suddenly turned into a massive collapse. We warned everyone nearby to move away. People were waiting at the bus stop, and labourers were working in the area. As we were asking them to run, a tanker lorry on the other side of the bridge was swept away by the landslide and carried towards us… I think around 10-15 people were buried. So far, four people have been rescued… We still don’t know whether the people on the bridge fell into the river or are trapped under the debris.”
Three dead, seven injured and several missing
According to the officials, three people were killed in the mishap. Earlier, Kerala chief minister VD Satheesan said seven people were injured and another seven remain missing.“It is an unfortunate incident. Rescue efforts are going on,” the chief minister told reporters after reviewing the situation with officials of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).He said police, fire and rescue personnel were already deployed at the site and additional rescue forces were being mobilised. A defence force stationed in Thrissur was also kept ready for deployment if required.
Heavy rain and construction debris under scrutiny
The chief minister said there had been heavy rainfall in the area before the landslide, though he maintained that the disaster was not caused by the absence of a weather alert. Instead, he pointed to the alleged failure to remove accumulated soil and debris from the construction site despite prior instructions from authorities.“The Disaster Management Authority and the District Collector had already issued an order on June 20 to remove all the soil from the spot. The preliminary information is that the contractor of the tunnel has not obeyed the order issued by the District Collector and the Disaster Management Authority,” Satheesan said.
Rescue operation continues
Fire and Rescue Services personnel, police teams and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have launched a large-scale search operation to locate those still missing.Officials said several vehicles used to transport tunnel workers were damaged in the landslide. Local residents helped rescue some people from the affected area before emergency teams arrived.According to Kerala’s Public Relations Department, people rescued from the site have been shifted to Meppadi WIMS Hospital for treatment, while a relief camp has been opened at Chulikka Government LP School for affected residents.
Emergency review by state government
CM Satheesan said that the state government was closely monitoring the situation and had directed Revenue Minister A P Anil Kumar and Agriculture Minister T Siddique to reach Wayanad immediately to oversee rescue and relief operations.“I also spoke with the District Collector over the phone,” Satheesan said.Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Wayanad, where very heavy rainfall has been reported in several areas, adding to the challenges faced by rescue teams.
