Landslide hits Wayanad tunnel project days after Collector's warning on soil pile, 3 killed, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• A landslide occurred at the Wayanad-Kozhikode twin tunnel project site in Kerala, resulting in three deaths and seven missing.
• The incident took place in the Meenakshi area of Wayanad, days after the District Collector had ordered a halt to construction and removal of accumulated soil.
• The deceased were migrant workers, and rescue operations involved the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
• Dilip Buildcon, the project contractor, attributed the landslide to "exceptionally heavy rainfall" during the monsoon season.
• Kerala's Chief Minister and other ministers have termed it a "man-made landslide," citing the contractor's alleged failure to comply with directives to remove soil.

Detailed Insights:

• The landslide site is located near Chooralmala, an area previously affected by devastating landslides in July 2024.
• The Wayanad District Collector, also chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, had halted work on June 20 due to concerns over soil accumulation from hill-cutting.
• Ministers alleged that the contractor did not remove the soil despite repeated warnings from the District Collector and the Public Works Minister.
• Dilip Buildcon stated that the project adheres to engineering, safety, and environmental protocols, citing India Meteorological Department (IMD) warnings and Kerala State Disaster Management Authority data on high rainfall.
• The project is situated in an ecologically sensitive region and is subject to oversight by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee.
• Konkan Railway Corporation is the implementing agency for the 8.11-km twin tunnel project, estimated to cost around Rs 2,400 crore.

Key Concepts Involved:

• District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA): A body at the district level, chaired by the District Collector, responsible for disaster management planning and implementation.
• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): A specialized humanitarian task force of India, constituted for special response to disaster situations.
• Ecologically Sensitive Region (ESR): Areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for their ecological importance, requiring special protection and regulated development.
• Man-made Landslide: A landslide primarily caused or exacerbated by human activities such as unscientific construction, deforestation, or improper disposal of excavated material.