Published Jul 07, 2026 | 1:29 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 07, 2026 | 2:38 PM
A soil piping incident triggered by incessant heavy rainfall struck the twin-tunnel construction in Wayanad.
Synopsis: A soil piping incident triggered by incessant heavy rainfall struck the twin-tunnel construction site in Wayanad killed one person and injured several others. Five people were rescued and shifted to hospital, while rescue teams, including the NDRF, are continuing search operations amid fears that more people remain trapped beneath the debris.
A soil piping incident triggered by incessant heavy rainfall struck the twin-tunnel construction site near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi in Meppadi of the Wayanad district in Kerala on Tuesday, 7 July, killing one person and triggering a massive rescue operation.
Nine people were rescued and shifted to the hospital, while several others are feared trapped beneath the debris. Those rescued have been identified as Hira Kumar (32), Dileep (19), Sooraj Yadav (25), Sanjay Thakur (35), Rajnish (27), Thanmai Ghosh (28), Koopamal (37), Kunju (39)and Santhosh Kumar.
The incident occurred around 11.30 am on Tuesday when a large volume of debris accumulated during excavation gave way, sending mud and slush cascading down the slope. The collapse buried parts of the tunnel work site, blocked roads and raised fears that workers and motorists may have been caught under the debris.
According to officials at the Wayanad District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC), concrete works were underway when a portion of the retaining wall collapsed, likely due to heavy rainfall.
Six people, including senior officials and workers, have gone missing. Those reported missing are construction in-charge engineer Vikram Singh Rana, site engineer Rahul Sharma, supervisor Ranjith, security guard Surya, and excavator operators Vikas Kumar and Rajneesh.
Rescue teams are continuing search operations to determine whether more people remain trapped.
The Meppadi Sub-Inspector also sustained injuries during the rescue operation and has been admitted to the hospital.
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The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said the debris accumulated following an excavation at the Wayanad-Kalladi tunnel work site slid down and blocked roads. Officials said work had been suspended since Monday due to heavy rain, but people moving around the area were hit by the slide.
A person trapped in mud.
Five people who were struck by the debris were rescued and admitted to the hospital. Authorities later confirmed one death, while the exact number of people trapped is still being verified.
Visuals from the site showed thick slush barrelling down the hillside, uprooting trees and engulfing temporary work stations. Residents also expressed concern that vehicles crossing the nearby bridge at the time of the collapse may have been buried under the debris.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Meenangadi and Kozhikode, Fire and Rescue Services, the Revenue Rapid Response Team (RRT), police and district administration officials have been deployed for the rescue operation.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan convened an emergency meeting and directed officials to ensure coordinated rescue efforts.
He also spoke to the Wayanad District Collector over the phone and instructed Revenue Minister AP Anilkumar and Agriculture Minister T Siddique, who is in charge of Wayanad district, to reach the spot and oversee rescue and relief operations.
Meanwhile, ministers said preliminary assessments indicated that the soil piping was caused by human intervention rather than a natural phenomenon, while rescue operations continue at the site.
Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Siddique said the soil piping was “man-made” and not a natural disaster. He alleged that the incident occurred due to unscientific accumulation of soil during tunnel construction.
The minister said authorities had earlier issued instructions to halt construction activities during the rainy season and had also warned against carrying out such works under adverse weather conditions.
However, he noted that satisfactory action was not taken despite the warnings.
The accident site.
Siddique said the exact number of people injured is yet to be confirmed. He added that six injured people are currently undergoing treatment at MIMS Hospital, while two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed at the site.
Rescue personnel are conducting urgent searches to determine whether more people remain trapped or injured.
Anilkumar said complete information about the incident is still awaited as rescue efforts are underway. He said the immediate priority is the removal of soil and debris to facilitate rescue operations.
The minister also reiterated that directions had previously been issued to stop construction work in the area.
MLA IC Balakrishnan, Wayanad District Panchayat President Chandrika Krishnan, District Collector DR Meghasree and public representatives have reached the spot.
Rescue and relief operations are continuing, and officials said further details, including the extent of casualties and damage, will be known after the ongoing search progresses. The rescue operation is being carried out under the leadership of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Force, Police, Forest officials and locals.
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Vineesh M, a resident and eyewitness, told South First that the incident occurred around 11.30 am.
“Several workers are feared missing, while five people have been shifted to the hospital. Wayanad has been witnessing continuous heavy rainfall since Monday night,” he said.
Dr Vishnudas, from the Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology, Wayanad, told South First that the incident was not a landslide but a case of soil piping in the tunnel project area.
“According to our measurements, the region received 221 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, making it the highest rainfall recorded this season. Wayanad was under an orange alert yesterday, and we are currently assessing the situation in detail,” he said.
According to the KSDMA, the area received around 265 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, resulting in the excavation debris becoming unstable before sliding onto the road and the work site.
According to the district administration, the presence of labour camps near the accident site is a matter of concern, as they fear that the debris might have fallen on these camps.
Meanwhile, the district administration also started an Emergency Operation Centre at the Wayanad Collectorate. People are urged to contact the toll-free number 1077 and 04936-204151.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
