The death toll in the Wayanad mudslide tragedy rose to five as rescue teams found two bodies in the debris, with three individuals still missing. State Agriculture Minister T. Siddique confirmed the recovery of the bodies and their transfer to the hospital. The mudslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi during the construction of the Wayanad end of the tunnel road project.
Personnel from various agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local volunteers, are engaged in clearing the debris using excavators and earth-moving equipment. Despite challenges posed by intermittent rain and unstable terrain, rescue operations are ongoing. The incident has underscored concerns over habitation, infrastructure projects, and disaster preparedness in Wayanad’s fragile hill terrain.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan visited the site and instructed officials to continue rescue efforts without interruption, providing necessary support to affected families. The government has ordered heightened monitoring of vulnerable areas in the district due to persistent rainfall. Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan also visited the site to assess the situation and engage with rescue teams and locals.
As rescue teams intensify their search for the missing individuals, they remain optimistic about locating them despite the challenging conditions. Authorities have advised residents in landslide-prone zones to stay vigilant and heed evacuation directives issued by the district administration amidst ongoing heavy rainfall.
