Home / Disasters and Accidents / Wayanad Tunnel Project: Experts Warn of Ecological Danger
Wayanad Tunnel Project: Experts Warn of Ecological Danger
7 Jul
Summary
- Tunnel project risks landslides in fragile Wayanad terrain.
- Experts urge halting project due to unscientific clearance.
- Climate change enhances heavy rainfall, increasing landslide risk.
A substantial debris slip occurred near the under-construction Wayanad tunnel project on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. This incident has led experts to caution against major infrastructure projects in ecologically vulnerable regions like Wayanad, Kerala. Geoscientist C.P. Rajendran noted that the tunnel cuts through fragile terrain known for landslides, suggesting the project received clearance without adequate geological and hydrological studies.
Rajendran explained that tunnelling disrupts hill slopes, potentially triggering landslides during intense rainfall and destabilizing hill bases. Alterations in natural drainage paths can increase pore water pressure and weaken soil cohesion. Environmentalist Sridhar Radhakrishnan urged the government to halt the project and cancel its environmental clearance, recommending an independent panel to evaluate its environmental and social impact.
Radhakrishnan criticized the previous government for not adhering to the precautionary principle and issuing clearance with unscientific conditions. Scientist Ajil Kottayil added that climate change is intensifying heavy rainfall events through atmospheric disturbances like Kelvin and Rossby waves, escalating the risk of landslides in areas like Wayanad.
