Wayanad Landslide – Search Teams Intensify River Operation to Trace Missing Manager
Wayanad Landslide – The search for the lone missing person in the Wayanad landslide entered its fifth day on Saturday, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Kerala Fire and Rescue Services stepping up operations along the Meenachipuzha River. Authorities are looking for Vikram Rana, a project manager who has remained unaccounted for since the landslide struck the tunnel construction site earlier this week.
Clearer River Conditions Aid Search
Kerala Minister T. Siddique said rescue teams have formed a dedicated unit to conduct a detailed inspection of the river stretch after water clarity improved significantly. According to the minister, excavation work in the upper section of the river has been paused, allowing muddy water to settle and improving underwater visibility for search personnel.
He explained that searches carried out over the previous two days were affected by poor visibility caused by ongoing earthmoving activities upstream. With those operations temporarily halted, officials believe the clearer water conditions could improve the chances of locating the missing project manager. Authorities are also removing large quantities of mud and soil deposited near the river as part of the ongoing rescue effort.
Zone 2 Remains the Primary Focus
Rescue authorities have continued concentrating on Zone 2 of the landslide-affected area after technical assessments suggested it could hold important clues regarding Vikram Rana’s whereabouts. Officials decided to prioritise a complete excavation of this section following discussions involving senior NDRF officers and the district administration.
The decision was also influenced by a detailed review of available video footage from the disaster site, which provided investigators with fresh inputs for planning the next phase of the search. Rescue teams believe a systematic excavation of accumulated debris in this zone offers the best possibility of locating the missing worker.
Multi-Agency Rescue Effort Continues
The operation has brought together personnel from the NDRF, Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, district authorities and members of Turkey Life Rescue. Teams have carried out extensive inspections across multiple sections of the landslide site while coordinating excavation work with river searches downstream.
According to the state government, all logistical requests made by the NDRF have been fulfilled to ensure uninterrupted rescue operations. Additional tipper trucks, heavy machinery and other essential equipment have been deployed, while officials continue to hold regular review meetings to assess progress and address operational requirements.
Heavy Machinery Removes Debris
Excavators and other heavy equipment remain engaged in clearing thick layers of soil and debris that buried much of the construction area. At the same time, rescue personnel are carefully examining sections of the Meenachipuzha River in case floodwaters carried evidence or victims downstream after the landslide.
Authorities have stressed that both excavation and river searches are being carried out simultaneously to maximise the effectiveness of the operation while maintaining safety standards for rescue workers.
Landslide Claimed Seven Lives
The landslide occurred on July 7 near the tunnel construction project at Kalladi in Meppadi Grama Panchayat, where an estimated seven to ten feet of mud and debris engulfed a significant portion of the worksite.
So far, seven bodies have been recovered from the disaster zone. On Friday, rescuers retrieved the body of Rajesh, a resident of East Midnapore in West Bengal, from the downstream section of the Meenachipuzha River. His family members later identified the body before it was sent for postmortem examination and embalming prior to transportation to his hometown.
Search to Continue Until Missing Worker Is Found
Officials have reiterated that rescue operations will continue until Vikram Rana is located. Under the supervision of the NDRF and district administration, teams are expected to maintain systematic excavation at the landslide site while continuing detailed searches along the river in the coming days.