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| This incident near : The Malappuram-Wayanad Tunnel Project connects Malappuram to Wayanad via a tunnel |
Four people were killed and nine others were missing in a landslide in Wayanad, Kerala in India. The incident occurred near the Meenakshi Bridge in Kalladi, in front of the Malappuram-Wayanad tunnel. Construction was underway, and hundreds of tons of mud had accumulated in front of the tunnel.
A tanker was parked at the scene, and it floated 200 feet along with the debris like a straw. It stopped just a few feet away from the man and woman present there, saving their lives.
Many people were trapped under the debris after the accident. Rescue efforts are underway, with JCB machines deployed. According to officials, tunnel construction work had been halted since Monday due to incessant rain.
The tunnel is 8 km long and costs Rs 2,200 crore.
The Malappuram-Wayanad Tunnel Project connects Malappuram to Wayanad via a tunnel. The tunnel is approximately 8.17 km long and is estimated to cost approximately 2,100–2,200 crore. Two years ago, three landslides struck Wayanad in quick succession, claiming over 400 lives.
What caused the landslide in Wayanad?
Wayanad is located in the northeast of Kerala. It is the only plateau region in Kerala. This is an area with raised and lower mounds of soil, rocks, and vegetation. According to a 2021 report by the Geological Survey of India, 43% of Kerala is affected by landslides. 51% of Wayanad's land is hilly, making it prone to landslides.
The Wayanad Plateau lies in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 700 to 2100 meters. The Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon current hits the Western Ghats and rises, causing heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. Wayanad is drained by the Kabini River. Its tributary, the Mananthavady, originates from the Thondaramudi Peak. Landslides have caused extensive flooding along this river, causing extensive damage.
The biggest accident in Wayanad in 2024, killing more than 400 people.
Two years ago, Wayanad experienced its worst landslide. Between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on July 30, 2024, landslides struck Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages. More than 400 people died in this disaster. In 2019, heavy rains also caused landslides in these same areas, killing 17 people.
About 12.6% of India falls in the landslide danger zone.
About 12.6% of India's land area (approximately 4.2 lakh square kilometers) is considered landslide-prone. The Himalayas and the Western Ghats are the most vulnerable landslide areas in the country.
In India, the highest number of landslides occur during the June to September (monsoon season). More than 80% of landslides are caused by heavy rainfall. Human activities such as road construction, tunnel construction, dam construction, mining, and deforestation also increase the risk of landslides.
Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Darjeeling are among the worst-affected areas. Hundreds of people die in landslides in India every year.
