Wayanad (Kerala), July 7. There is a possibility of major devastation due to a massive landslide caused by heavy rains on Tuesday in Kallady near Meppadi in Wayanad, Kerala. Many workers are trapped under the debris of the landslide. So far, three people have been confirmed dead and many people are injured. After the incident, fire brigade personnel from Kalpetta have reached the spot and the rescue operation is going on.
According to information received, the landslide occurred near the Meenakshi bridge in Kallady, where work on the tunnel road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts was going on. Officials said local residents rescued three people from the incident site. This is the place where the workers associated with the tunnel project were living. There are also some houses and homestays in the area. Apart from this, some vehicles carrying workers of the tunnel project were also damaged in the landslide.
Geologists had already warned of landslides
The area where the tunnel is being built is very important ecologically. Geologists had already warned that there was a possibility of landslides here. Eyewitnesses say that due to the rain the mountain started cracking and the debris spread everywhere. Due to landslides, huge trees have been uprooted, which has affected the rescue operation.
Police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have also been deployed for the rescue operation. Agriculture Minister T Siddiqui and the District Collector are monitoring the search operation and trying to find out how many more people are stranded in the affected area, officials said. Work on the Anakkampoyil-Meppadi project, connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts, began last year.
fear of massive destruction
It is being told that during the breaking of stones for the construction of Anakkampoyil-Kallady-Meppadi Tunnel, a large amount of soil and stones fell from above. It is suspected that 30 to 50 laborers are trapped underground. The containers used as the office of the construction company, the buses that came with the workers, the cars and the earth-moving machines were completely buried under the ground. There is a possibility of huge devastation due to this.
Some victims were rescued by local people in a daring rescue operation. The injured were taken to Harrison Malayalam Estate Hospital for first aid. The search has been intensified after it is suspected that many other workers are trapped.
The accident occurred due to unscientific accumulation of soil – Minister T. Siddiqui
Minister T. Siddiqui said that this accident happened due to accumulation of soil in an unscientific manner. He told the media that the accident occurred due to unscientific accumulation of soil in connection with the construction of a tunnel in Wayanad. It was warned that even a little rain could lead to an accident. No necessary steps were taken in this regard.
He said that despite the instructions, no proper progress was made. He said that the government will look into the matter. Instructions have been given to stop work and remove soil. Six laborers from other states injured in this incident are undergoing treatment.
Rain became a challenge in rescue operation, road traffic disrupted
Meanwhile, bad weather and heavy rains are becoming a major hindrance in the rescue operation. More people can be saved only after removing the soil using debris removal machines. Due to the landslide, road traffic in the area has been completely disrupted. The small river near Meenakshi Bridge is also flowing above the danger mark, which is a matter of concern.
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