Wayanad landslide: Kerala govt blames contractor, says repeated warnings ignored
The Kerala government on Thursday told the High Court that the contractor involved in the construction work at the Kalladi landslide site in Wayanad had
The Kerala government on Thursday told the High Court that the contractor involved in the construction work at the Kalladi landslide site in Wayanad had been repeatedly instructed to remove excavated soil and construction debris well before the accident, placing responsibility on the company for failing to comply with safety directions. In an affidavit filed before the High Court, the state government said the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) had issued directions on May 26 and June 4 warning that excavated earth and construction waste should not endanger the public. The authority had also instructed that workers and local residents be evacuated if required and that all necessary safety measures be ensured at the work site.
Read Full Story Seven bodies have been recovered, while one person remains missing after a landslide struck Kalladi near the construction site of a tunnel project linking Wayanad and Kozhikode. The disaster was triggered when a massive mound of excavated soil, dumped without scientific safeguards at the active tunnel construction site, became unstable amid heavy rain and collapsed into the valley below. According to the government affidavit, the contractor was reminded about safety precautions even on the day before the landslide. The SDMA informed the court that these directions had been communicated to both Konkan Railway and the contractor undertaking the construction work.
The government further told the court that it is examining whether the contractor had complied with the environmental clearance conditions governing the project. Taking note of the situation, the High Court directed the state government to bear the medical expenses of those injured in the landslide, as well as the costs incurred by their bystanders during treatment. The court also ordered the government to expedite the disbursal of the financial assistance announced for the victims and their families. In addition, the High Court directed authorities to ensure that the bodies of those who died in the accident are handed over to their families without delay.
The court further said it would continue to monitor developments in the aftermath of the landslide and the relief measures being undertaken by the authorities. The matter is expected to come up again on Friday when the High Court takes up the suo motu case related to natural disasters in the state. Ends Published By: Ajmal Published On: Jul 10, 2026 23:14 IST
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