A massive landslide struck Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday. As rescue operations continue in the area to locate missing individuals, state agriculture minister T Siddique has asserted that the disaster was preventable, describing the landslide as a "man-made" event.
The minister’s remarks have sparked worries about the environmental consequences of major infrastructure developments in the Western Ghats.While rescue operations are underway and authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the landslide, Minister Siddique has alleged that "unscientific dumping" of excavated soil and mud from tunnel construction caused the disaster.
Why did the minister call it a 'man-made landslide'?
In remarks following the landslide, the minister criticized the management of excavation debris at the tunnel construction site and asserted that multiple warnings had been disregarded."It's a disaster perpetuated by unscientific dumping of soil and mud as part of the tunnel project. There were indications of such actions, and they were raised at meetings of the Konkan officials. But it seems no corrective steps were taken. Six people have been hospitalised so far.
NDRF teams from Kozhikode and Wayanad are enroute. Efforts are on to search for trapped people and coordinate rescue operations," Siddique said. The minister's remarks have renewed attention to the ongoing debate over the environmental risks associated with the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel project.
What happened in Wayanad?
The landslide hit Kalladi, where employees involved in the tunnel project were lodged. The incident left one person dead and injured at least seven others. Officials reported that local residents managed to rescue at least three individuals before emergency crews arrived at the location. Several vehicles used to transport tunnel workers were also damaged. Personnel from the Police, Fire and Rescue Services, along with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were mobilized for search-and-rescue operations. Chief Minister VD Satheeshan convened an emergency meeting after the incident and instructed ministers to coordinate the rescue efforts in Wayanad.
Why is the tunnel project considered controversial?
The Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel, costing ₹2,134 crore, is designed to offer an alternative route between Kozhikode and Wayanad, avoiding the landslide-prone Thamarassery Ghat section. The two-lane tunnel is projected to enhance connectivity and shorten travel time between the two districts. Nevertheless, the project has drawn resistance from environmentalists and conservation organisations, who contend that it cuts through ecologically fragile stretches of the Western Ghats, a region that has experienced recurrent floods and landslides in recent years.
The dispute over the project also moved into the legal arena. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court refused to suspend construction after the Kerala High Court upheld the environmental clearance, noting that regulators had mandated protective measures and that any issues regarding compliance could, if necessary, be taken up before the National Green Tribunal.
Investigation likely to determine the cause
The landslide has once more brought the tunnel project under intense examination, especially following the minister’s claim that improper disposal of excavated soil played a role in causing the disaster.However, authorities have not officially established the cause of the landslide. Rescue operations remain the immediate priority, while any link between the ongoing construction work and the incident is expected to be examined as part of the investigation later.