Wayanad rain fury: Total educational holiday declared tomorrow

WAYANAD: The District Collector of Wayanad has declared a total holiday for all educational institutions in the district for tomorrow following a 'Red Alert' issued by the Central Meteorological Department. The emergency safety measure comes amid a rapidly worsening weather situation in the region, highlighted by a tragic landslide earlier today that has claimed four lives.
The holiday order is strictly applicable to all categories of educational facilities across the district. This includes professional colleges, government, aided, and unaided schools, CBSE and ICSE institutions, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Anganwadis, Madrasas, and private tuition centres.

In view of the hazardous conditions, the District Collector has strongly advised the public to avoid all non-essential travel. Residents have also been strictly warned against entering rivers, streams, or any waterlogged areas for bathing or other activities. The severe weather system has prompted the Central Meteorological Department to sound a Red Alert for neighbouring Kozhikode district as well, while an Orange Alert has been issued for Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the massive landslide that struck the district earlier this morning has risen to four. The disaster occurred near the Meenakshi Bridge in Kalladi, heavily impacting a tunnel road construction zone. Six people are currently reported missing, and emergency teams suspect that several others may still be trapped beneath the mud and debris as rescue operations continue in full swing.

Nine individuals are currently hospitalised and undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during the landslide. The injured have been identified as Hira Kumar (32), Dileep (19), Suraj Yadav (25), Sanjay Thakur (35), Rajanish (27), Tanmay Ghosh (28), Jaya (37), Kunchu (39), and Meppadi Sub-Inspector Santhosh Kumar.

Responding to the tragedy, Minister T. Siddique termed the landslide a man-made disaster. He stated that the unscientific piling of excavated soil at the tunnel road project site was the direct cause of the landslide. The Minister further revealed that instructions had been issued to the operators at an earlier date to halt all construction activities in the area.