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 At Least Five Dead as Landslide Buries Tunnel Work Site in India

Date: July 8, 2026

A devastating landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall has claimed the lives of at least five people after burying a tunnel construction site in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The tragedy occurred near the Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel project in Wayanad district, where rescue teams continue searching for workers believed to be trapped beneath massive amounts of mud and debris. �

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According to local authorities, the landslide struck suddenly after continuous heavy rainfall destabilized a large mound of excavated earth at the construction site. Tons of mud, rocks, and uprooted trees rushed down the hillside, engulfing machinery, temporary structures, and parts of the tunnel project within seconds. Several workers were caught in the collapse before they could escape. �

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Emergency response teams, including firefighters, police officers, and India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), immediately launched large-scale rescue operations. Excavators and heavy machinery have been deployed to clear the debris, while specially trained rescue personnel continue searching for survivors despite difficult weather conditions and unstable ground. Heavy rainfall has repeatedly interrupted rescue efforts, increasing concerns for those still missing. �

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Officials reported that several injured workers were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities also evacuated residents living close to the construction area as a precaution against additional landslides, with meteorological agencies warning that more heavy rain is expected across Kerala over the coming days. �

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The incident has sparked criticism over construction safety practices. Senior Kerala officials described the disaster as potentially "man-made," alleging that excavated earth had been dumped in an unsafe manner, making the slope vulnerable to collapse during the monsoon. Police have reportedly begun investigating the contractors responsible for the tunnel project to determine whether negligence contributed to the tragedy. �

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The landslide has also revived painful memories of previous disasters in Wayanad, a region that has experienced several deadly landslides in recent years due to intense monsoon rainfall and its mountainous terrain. Environmental experts have repeatedly warned about the challenges of carrying out large infrastructure projects in landslide-prone areas without adequate geological safeguards. �

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Rescue operations remain ongoing as authorities continue searching for anyone still trapped beneath the debris. Officials have indicated that the death toll could rise as recovery efforts progress and more areas of the collapsed site become accessible. �

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