Wayanad debris slip: Kerala HC directs State to ensure relief for victims, expedite handing over of bodies

The Kerala High Court on Friday (July 10) asked the State government to disburse compensation to the victims of the Wayanad debris slip and undertake the expenses of the injured under treatment.

The court further directed the State to hand over the bodies of the deceased to their families at the earliest. The State updated the court that the search for missing persons was being conducted through active excavation, cadaver dogs and human labour.

The incident occurred on July 7, with a debris slide at the entrance to the twin tunnel being constructed at Kalladi in Wayanad. The site is near Chooralmala, where there was a massive landslide in 2024.

The Division Bench of Justices A.K. Jayasankar and A.K. Preeta was considering a report by the State on the recent disaster, in a suo motu petition initiated after the 2024 tragedy. It was informed that the State had issued instructions to stop the construction activities at the site in May.