At least five individuals lost their lives in a significant mudslide at the Meppadi-Kalladi tunnel construction site in Wayanad, Kerala. Three people are still unaccounted for, while seven are receiving medical treatment following the incident. Rescue teams are conducting an extensive search operation using personnel, heavy machinery, and sniffer dogs.
The mudslide occurred near the Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi during the construction of the tunnel road project in Wayanad. Initial reports suggest that continuous rainfall triggered the collapse of large mounds of excavated earth, burying parts of the work area. The rescue efforts are ongoing through the night to locate the missing workers trapped under the debris.
Following heavy rainfall in Meppadi, which measured 226 mm in the last 24 hours, the mudslide took place. The area, a popular tourist spot, witnessed the collapse that also affected private vehicles and a bus used for worker transportation. Fortunately, a nearby house was empty as the occupants were away on a pilgrimage, and no one was inside a church that was swept away by the mudslide.
