At least three people were killed and nine others injured after a landslide struck the Wayanad Tunnel Project construction site in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge in Kalladi, where work is underway on the Wayanad Tunnel Project linking the Kozhikode and Wayanad regions.

Authorities said the landslide buried temporary shelters used by construction workers, leaving several people trapped beneath the debris.

A fuel tanker and a number of other vehicles were also swept away by the fast-moving mud.

Rescue operations continue

Search and rescue operations remained underway amid concerns that additional workers could still be trapped beneath the debris.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire services, police and other emergency agencies were deployed to the site despite difficult weather conditions.

Officials warned that persistent monsoon rains continue to hamper rescue efforts and increase the risk of further landslides. Residents living in vulnerable areas near the construction site have been evacuated as a precaution.

Monsoon raises landslide risks

The Wayanad Tunnel Project is intended to improve connectivity between Kozhikode and Wayanad by providing an alternative route through Kerala's mountainous terrain.

The region is highly prone to landslides during the annual monsoon season, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. (ILKHA)