Wayanad: Three persons were killed, nine were injured, and seven others are missing in the landslide at Kalladi in Wayanad district.
The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, where work on a tunnel road project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts was going on.
Chief Minister VD Satheeshan said that the contractors had been told much in advance by the Public Works Department Minister P K Basheer and the District Collector to remove the huge quantity of mud accumulated in the area.
"However, the contractors did not abide by the directions," the CM said after reviewing the situation with officials of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) at their office.
"It is an unfortunate incident. Rescue efforts are going on," he added.
Responding to a question from reporters, Satheesan said that non-issuance of an appropriate weather alert was not the reason for the landslide, and it was caused due to the mud not being removed in time as directed by the authorities.
He said that necessary rescue forces are reaching the area and the police as well as fire and rescue personnel were already deployed at the site.
Additionally, a defence force was ready at Thrissur for being deployed at the site if required, he said.
He said that there was heavy rainfall in the area before the incident. Though it has reduced in intensity currently, it was creating difficulties for the rescue personnel, the chief minister added.
More personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will also be deployed at the site to aid in search and rescue operations.
It has been reported that one of the injured in the landslide remains in a critical condition.
In light of the tragedy, a holiday has been declared for educational institutions in Wayanad tomorrow. The district collector has announced that it will be a holiday for all educational institutions, including nurseries and professional colleges.
(With inputs from PTI)