Wayanad landslide video shows tanker swept away, narrow escape
Terrifying CCTV footage from Kerala’s Wayanad district has captured the dramatic moment a powerful landslide sent tonnes of mud, rocks and debris rushing downhill near the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road project. The footage shows people running for their lives as a thick wave of slush crashes through the area near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi. Within moments, the debris uproots vegetation and sweeps away a large fuel tanker parked near the site. Several bystanders can be seen escaping just seconds before the landslide engulfs the area, turning the CCTV footage into a chilling record of how quickly the disaster unfolded.
Fuel tanker swept away as people run for safety
The landslide occurred following intense rainfall in the region. CCTV visuals show workers and other people in the area suddenly realising the danger and rushing away as mud and debris race down the slope. A fuel tanker is then seen being carried away by the force of the landslide. The video has drawn widespread attention because of the narrow escape of people standing close to the affected stretch. Officials and media reports said deaths, injuries and missing persons had been reported, while casualty figures continued to change during the ongoing search operation. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, police and NDRF teams were deployed to locate people feared trapped beneath the debris.
Heavy rainfall and construction debris under scrutiny
Authorities said the area had experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall before the landslide. Reports also raised questions about accumulated soil and construction debris near the tunnel project site. Kerala Minister T Siddique described the incident as a “man-made” disaster and alleged that unscientific accumulation of excavated earth had contributed to the tragedy. Authorities have also referred to earlier directions concerning the removal of soil from the construction site. The landslide occurred close to the ongoing tunnel road project connecting the Wayanad region with neighbouring districts. The incident has renewed debate over construction safety, slope stability and disaster preparedness in environmentally sensitive areas.
Rescue operations continue in Wayanad
Emergency personnel continued search and rescue operations as authorities assessed the full extent of the damage. Local residents were among the first to help rescue people from the affected area before specialised teams arrived. The Wayanad disaster has also revived painful memories of the devastating July 2024 landslides in the Meppadi region, including Mundakkai and Chooralmala. The hilly terrain and intense monsoon rainfall make several parts of the district vulnerable to slope failures and landslide risks.
Authorities are closely monitoring rainfall and ground conditions as rescue workers continue searching through the debris. With houses, homestays and project-related facilities located in the surrounding region, officials remain focused on finding missing persons and preventing further casualties. The shocking CCTV footage has become one of the most widely discussed visuals from the disaster, showing both the destructive power of the landslide and the extraordinary narrow escape of those who managed to run to safety just in time.
