Wayanad Debris Slip: 129 Rescued, 3 Dead, 5 Missing as Relief Camps Open
At least 129 people from 48 families living near the debris slip at the Wayanad tunnel road project site in Kalladi near Meppadi have been shifted to a relief camp set up at the Government Polytechnic College, Meppadi, officials said on Wednesday (July 8, 2026). The incident occurred on Tuesday (July 7, 2026).
The relief camp is currently accommodating 47 men, 48 women, and 34 children, according to district administration officials.
Ministers A.P. Anil Kumar and T. Siddique, who visited the site on Wednesday, directed officials to step up relief and disaster management measures following the tragedy that claimed three lives, with five others still missing.
The Ministers instructed the Revenue department and Meppadi grama panchayat to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to people stranded in Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Puthumala due to the debris slip at Kalladi.
Officials from the Forest department, police, and the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) have been directed to evacuate residents of Erattukundu, Kuppachi, Punchirimattam, Thanjilodu, Thazhe Aranamala, and Ayyappan Unnathi to safer locations as a precautionary measure.
The Ministers also asked the District Medical Officer to immediately establish a health sub-centre with a doctor, nurse, medicines, and other essential facilities to provide healthcare services to isolated families in Chooralmala.
Strict regulation of entry to relief camps has been ordered to protect the privacy of evacuees. While access to the debris slip-affected zone remains restricted, local residents travelling from Meppadi to Chooralmala will be allowed to pass without inconvenience.
The district administration will prepare a list of residents living in vulnerable areas and hill settlements in Meppadi grama panchayat who may require evacuation. If the situation warrants, additional relief camps will be opened and more people will be shifted to safer locations, officials said.
