Wayanad Landslide: Search Continues for Five Missing as Death Toll Remains Three

Rescue teams continued an intensive search operation on Wednesday for five people still missing a day after a landslide at a tunnel road construction site in Kerala's Wayanad district claimed the lives of three migrant workers , even as the state government announced a scientific investigation into the cause of the disaster. According to police, an unnatural death case has been registered and an investigation is underway. Wayanad Superintendent of Police Devamanohar said personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) , Fire and Rescue Services, and cadaver dogs have been deployed.

The search area has been divided into four zones , with teams also searching downstream stretches of the river. Rescue operations have been hampered by continuous monsoon rains and heavy mud deposits, making debris clearance difficult. Officials said access towards Chooralmala has been restored, but substantial mud remains at the site. The victims have been identified as Chandraban , an equipment operator from Madhya Pradesh ; Bikash Kumar , a civil foreman from Bihar ; and Anmol , a worker from Jharkhand . Seven injured workers remain under treatment at Meppadi WIMS Hospital .

Kerala ministers T. Siddique and A. P. Anilkumar , who reached Wayanad to coordinate rescue efforts, said the immediate priority was locating the missing, while stressing that a scientific examination would be conducted to determine the factors that triggered the landslide near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi . They said their earlier remarks were only preliminary assessments but asserted that those responsible would not be able to evade accountability .

Public Works Department Minister P. K. Basheer said an expert committee would investigate the incident and submit its findings, after which the government would decide the next course of action in consultation with Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan . He also clarified that the government does not intend to abandon the tunnel project , but will ensure it proceeds in a manner that does not endanger lives.

The incident comes amid an active southwest monsoon , with Kerala witnessing repeated episodes of heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides in vulnerable hill districts. Wayanad remains among the state's most landslide-prone regions, underscoring the importance of strict safety measures and timely disaster response during the monsoon season.