'Man-Made Disaster': Kerala Ministers Blame Tunnel Project Debris After Wayanad Landslide Kills 5

A landslide in Kerala's Wayanad district killed five people and injured six others Monday, prompting sharp political commentaries on how construction work may have been the cause of the tragedy. The search in the affected area continued while state ministers pointed out that it was not a natural disaster but a preventable one, due to the dumping of excavated soil associated with an already under way tunnel project.

Ministers Allege Safety Directions Were Ignored

Kerala Agriculture Minister T Siddique said the landslide was caused by the improper disposal of mud excavated during the tunnel project and alleged that repeated warnings to remove the debris had gone unheeded.

"The government is investigating why mud taken out of the tunnel project was put there without any safety measure. Instructions were given to the authorities concerned to remove it. The instructions were not followed at all."

He further claimed that residents living near the project had already raised concerns over water drainage and that rehabilitation measures for nearby families had not been completed.

"Instructions were also given that eight families near the project were supposed to be rehabilitated. The locals had complained there was an issue with water flowing out of the project. This was not a natural landslide but a man-made one caused by mud that was put there after drilling in the tunnel project."

Siddique also pointed out that excavated soil had similarly been dumped near the Wayanad Township project, where homes are being built for survivors of the massive 2024 Wayanad landslide.

Home Minister Terms Incident A 'Man-Made Disaster'

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala echoed Siddique's allegations, stating that the loss of lives could have been prevented if the construction company had complied with directions issued by the district administration.

"It is certainly a man-made disaster. If the company had removed the dumped earth, this incident would not have occurred. It is an ecologically sensitive area prone to natural disasters."

He stressed that infrastructure work in environmentally fragile regions must be handled with greater caution.

"When a tunnel project is undertaken in such a place, the excavated earth should be removed without delay."

Company Rejects Allegations, Defends Project

Dilip Buildcon, the infrastructure company responsible for the construction of the tunnel, said there was no technical fault in the tunnel project that led to the landslide. The company claimed that all engineering standards, environmental norms and safety protocols had been adhered to throughout the project.

Meanwhile, rescue efforts continued with two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) sent to look for anyone who might be trapped under the debris.

Heavy Rain Triggered Collapse As Probe Continues

Prior to the landslide, 256 mm of rain fell over the affected area in the last 24 hours. Heavy rain caused a large mass of mud to collapse near a bridge, uprooting trees and barriers at the site, according to video images.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan said that the contractors were already notified to clear up the debris accumulated much before the incident. Both the Public Works Department Minister, PK Basheer and the district collector had informed the company of the possible risk, he said.

After discussing the matter with officials of Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) in Thiruvananthapuram, he said, "However, the contractors did not follow the directions.

Police are still in search of missing persons and authorities are questioning whether the lack of care in disposing of excavated material played a part in one of the latest rainfall-related deaths in Wayanad.