NEW DELHI: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday expressed grief over the deaths caused by the devastating landslide near the Wayanad tunnel construction site. He assured that the Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) would stand by every affected family and provide all possible assistance.His remarks came as rescue teams continued searching for those missing after the landslide near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, where work on the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project was underway. Officials said at least three people were killed, several others were injured and rescue operations were continuing.The tragedy also triggered a political row, with the state government alleging that repeated warnings to remove excavated soil from the construction site were ignored.Here are the top developments so far:
Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi expresses grief, appeals for support
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said the incident was ‘deeply distressing’ and offered condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones.“The news of the landslide in Wayanad is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.”“Relief and rescue operations are underway, and every possible effort is being made to reach those still trapped. I appeal to all Congress and UDF workers to extend any assistance in this time of need,” Congress MP added. Assuring that the government will stand with every family, Rahul further wrote, “Wayanad has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity before, and together, we will stand by every affected family through this tragedy.”Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed condolences and urged party workers and local residents to assist relief efforts while following official instructions.She said chief minister VD Satheesan was personally monitoring the rescue operations and that police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and civil defence volunteers were working alongside district authorities.“My deepest condolences to those who have lost precious family members. We will be by your side through this terrible time and give you every support possible,” she said.
Terrifying videos capture moments of disaster
Several videos circulating on social media and CCTV footage from nearby establishments captured the dramatic moments when the landslide struck.One eyewitness recording the incident could be heard shouting, ‘Run fast friends,’ as a massive wall of mud suddenly rushed downhill towards Meenakshi Bridge.The videos showed huge volumes of mud, rocks and uprooted trees crashing onto the road after heavy rain. The landslide swept away metal barricades before engulfing a fuel tanker parked on the bridge.CCTV footage also showed several people, including a woman, desperately trying to outrun the rapidly advancing mudslide. Moments later, the wave of debris slammed into them and dragged them across the bridge along with the tanker.The tanker then crashed into a parked jeep before coming to a halt. Remarkably, a man and a woman later emerged alive from between the two vehicles, covered in thick mud, while several others were seen limping away after surviving the incident.Also Read | Seconds before disaster: CCTV shows Wayanad landslide sweeping away fuel tanker; 2 dead, 7 missingAnother video showed a private bus, used to transport tunnel workers, being pushed into a nearby river by the force of the landslide. Later visuals showed the vehicle lying partially submerged as floodwaters flowed around it.Subsequent footage showed the bridge and surrounding area buried under thick layers of mud as rescue personnel searched for people who may still be trapped beneath the debris.
Government blames failure to follow safety directions
Chief minister VD Satheesan alleged that the contractors had ignored repeated directions issued by the district administration and the Disaster Management Authority to remove the large quantity of excavated soil accumulated near the tunnel project.He said authorities had warned the executing agency in advance but the instructions were not followed.State minister T Siddique described the incident as a ‘man-made’ disaster, alleging that negligence contributed to the landslide.However, Public Works Department minister PK Basheer said the project was being executed by the Konkan Railway Corporation under an arrangement made during the previous government and urged people not to politicise the tragedy.
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According to Basheer, the government had repeatedly instructed the executing agency not to deploy workers during heavy rain and to remove the excavated earth from the site.PWD Secretary Adeela Abdulla said safety concerns had been raised during multiple review meetings over the past three weeks. She added that because labourers had not been deployed at the site during the rainfall, the tragedy was less severe than it could have been.
Opposition seeks probe into ‘criminal negligence’
Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly Pinarayi Vijayan described the Wayanad landslide as ‘tragic and shocking’ and called for a thorough investigation to determine whether any lapses or ‘criminal negligence’ in implementing preventive measures contributed to the disaster. He also urged the government to provide immediate financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives, ensure free treatment for the injured and intensify rescue operations.
Rescue operations continue
Police, Fire and Rescue Services, NDRF teams and other emergency personnel remain at the site as search operations continue for those still missing.Authorities are also assessing the stability of the surrounding area while relief camps have been opened for affected residents and injured survivors continue to receive treatment at nearby hospitals.
