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An internal report by Dilip Buildcon Limited (DBL) revealed the hillside above the Anakkompoyil Meppadi tunnel’s North Portal was breaking apart before a fatal landslide.
Search and rescue operation underway at the site of the landslide that struck the under-construction twin tunnel project in Wayanad. (Source: PTI)
Days after seven people were killed in a landslide that occurred at the site of the Anakkompoyil Meppadi tunnel project in Kerala’s Wayanad, an internal report of the sub-contractor Dilip Buildcon Limited (DBL) revealed that the hillside above the tunnel’s North Portal was already breaking apart, NDTV reported.
A massive landslide had struck the tunnel project site, which was being built to connect Wayanad and Kozhikode districts, on July 7.
The landslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, where work on the tunnel road project connecting Malappuram and Wayanad districts has been underway since last year. The area is close to Mundakkai, which witnessed a devastating landslide in 2024.
Kerala Minister T. Siddique had described the landslide as “man-made” and alleged that it was caused by negligence at the construction site.
The internal report of DBL, the sub-contractor in charge of Tunnel work at Wayanad, was accessed by NDTV.
The tunnel has a North Portal on the Wayanad side near Kalladi-Meppadi and a South Portal on the Kozhikode side at Anakkampoyil. The landslide had occurred at the North Portal, and the report contained the geological and geotechnical assessment of that very portal.
What Did The Contractor’s Internal Report Reveal
Unstable Hillside Above The Tunnel
According to the report, the hillside above the tunnel’s North Portal was already breaking apart.
Engineers who inspected the site between June 3 and June 11 found that the slope above the tunnel entrance was covered by a nearly 35-metre-thick layer of loose, silty soil on the left side, resting over solid rock.
The report noted that this type of soil does not drain water efficiently. Continuous rainfall causes water to accumulate within the slope, making the soil heavier, weaker and significantly more vulnerable to landslides.
Slope Stabilisation Measures Proved Inadequate
To strengthen the hillside, contractors had carved the slope into stepped sections, reinforced it with shotcrete (sprayed concrete) and installed soil nails (steel anchor rods). Despite these measures, the slope continued to deteriorate.
Multiple Warning Signs Of Failure
During the inspection, engineers documented widening cracks across different levels of the slope, sections of earth slipping along the benches, muddy water leaking from the hillside, and underground cavities developing within the soil.
Underground Water Flow Raised Serious Alarm
One of the most critical findings was the sound of water flowing beneath the surface between two support levels. According to the report, this suggested that water had created hidden channels inside the slope, gradually eroding it from within, which can trigger sudden collapse even if the surface appears stable.
Left Side Slope Identified As Highest-Risk Zone
The report specifically identified the left-hand slope as posing a far greater threat than the right side. It warned that, under prevailing rainfall conditions, the hillside “may culminate in sudden slope failure at any time.”
Drainage, Monitoring Systems Ineffective
Engineers found that many of the drainage holes designed to release water pressure inside the slope were not functioning properly. The report also noted that essential monitoring instruments, including piezometers used to measure underground water pressure, had not yet been installed. The only monitoring system in place failed to accurately capture the extent of the slope’s distress.
Trial Blasting Carried Out Despite Slope’s Deterioration
Trial blasting for the tunnel was carried out on June 5, June 6 and June 11, while the slope was already showing signs of instability. However, the report concluded that vibration levels from the blasts remained within permissible limits and that persistent heavy rainfall, and not blasting, was the primary factor behind the slope’s deterioration.
Concrete-Mixing Plant Flagged As Potential Risk
The report also identified another potential risk, a concrete-mixing plant located near the unstable slope. Engineers warned that the plant’s weight and the movement of heavy vehicles in the area could further compromise the hillside’s stability, recommending that the facility be relocated.
Also Read: Wayanad Landslide Wasn’t Just A Natural Disaster. Did We Ignore Warning Signs In The Western Ghats?
What Did The Report Recommend
The report called for the construction of gabion walls, wire mesh structures filled with stones, along the vulnerable left-side slope to strengthen the exposed hillside and reduce the risk of collapse.
It recommended covering the exposed soil with protective matting and installing a continuous tarpaulin sheet from the top of the slope to its base, securely anchored to minimise water seepage during heavy rainfall.
To prevent rainwater from saturating the hillside, engineers advised building lined drainage channels that would safely divert runoff away from the slope.
The report also called for on-site assessments to determine whether the installed soil nails and drainage holes were functioning effectively under waterlogged conditions, ensuring they could withstand prolonged rainfall and saturated soil.
Room For Technical Error Is Very Limited: Contractor
Meanwhile, Dilip Buildcon on Tuesday ruled out any technical error which may have triggered the landslide.
The company stated that the incident occurred amid intense showers that brought 265 mm of rainfall within 24 hours.
Also Read: ‘Run Fast’: 3 Escape By Seconds As Wayanad Landslide Pushes Tanker Towards Them | Video
“The incident occurred during an active monsoon spell, amid exceptionally heavy rainfall in Wayanad. The India Meteorological Department had issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Kerala,” Buildcon said in a statement.
“Wayanad, along with other hill districts of Kerala, has historically remained vulnerable to monsoon-induced landslides. Having said that, the project is being executed in strict compliance with all applicable engineering, safety and environmental approvals and protocols,” the infra company stated.
Dilip Buildcon said the project is being carried out in accordance with all applicable engineering, safety and environmental norms, approvals and prescribed protocols.
“Given its location in an ecologically sensitive region, the project is subject to multiple regulatory oversight and monitoring mechanisms, including supervision by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee, and all excavated material is handled in accordance with the approved methodology,” it said.
“With such additional and strict compliance procedures, the room for technical error remains very limited,” Dilip Buildcon added.
With inputs from PTI
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Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More
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