Rescue operations have been intensified in Kerala’s Wayanad district after a landslide near Meppadi left workers trapped under debris. Teams are now using sniffer dogs to help locate those believed to be buried.
The incident occurred at Kalladi, where tunnel construction work was under way. A sudden landslide struck the adjoining hill area on Tuesday afternoon, burying workers at the site.
Authorities said five workers have died, including Chandraban from Madhya Pradesh, Bikash Kumar from Bihar and Anmol from Jharkhand. Seven others who were rescued have been admitted to a private hospital in Meppadi, with doctors reporting that two of them are in critical condition.
With reports suggesting five more people may still be trapped, search efforts are continuing day and night. National and State disaster response teams, along with fire and rescue services, police, forest officials and volunteers, have formed four groups to clear mud and rocks along the Meenachy riverbank and remove debris from the slide zone.
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Satheesan, a Congress leader, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of those who died in the landslide.
