Overview: On July 7, 2026 a massive debris slip in Wayanad claimed eight lives. The DDMA had earlier warned that nearly one lakh cubic metres of excavated earth from a twin‑tube tunnel project could collapse. The warning was ignored by the executing agencies, leading to the tragedy. The amicus curiae appointed by the Kerala High Court has now highlighted procedural lapses and legal contradictions.
Key Developments
- The High Court initiated suo motu action after the 30 July 2024 Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslides and appointed Advocate Renjith Thampan as amicus curiae.
- The Disaster Management Act, 2005 gives the DDMA statutory powers under Sections 30, 33 and 34 to inspect construction sites and issue preventive directions.
- On June 3, 2026 the executive committee of the KSDMA decided that neither it nor the DDMA could oversee projects that already had environmental clearance – a decision the report calls illegal.
- The MoEFCC had granted clearance for the tunnel in June 2025 with 60 conditions, including muck disposal, landslide monitoring and coordination with disaster agencies.
- A site inspection on June 26, 2026 identified unsafe soil piles, inadequate retaining structures, and the need to relocate families near the Meenakshi bridge.
Important Facts
The excavated earth volume was close to 1 lakh cubic metres. The contractor’s tarpaulin cover and retaining wall were insufficient to prevent water seepage, raising the risk of soil piping and slope failure. The report recommends an immediate safety audit, stabilisation of the muck,