Meppadi landslide rescue Day 5: NDRF intensifies river search for missing project manager

Wayanad: Rescue teams on Saturday intensified search operations along the Meenachipuzha river to trace the lone missing person, Vikram Rana, as efforts entered the fifth day following the landslide at the tunnel construction site in Kalladi, Meppadi.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, along with Fire and Rescue Services, launched a detailed search of the river stretch after water levels cleared considerably, improving visibility for rescue workers.

Kerala Minister T Siddique said the river was being thoroughly examined as excavation work upstream had been halted, allowing the muddy water to settle.

"A dedicated team comprising the NDRF and Fire and Rescue has been deployed to examine the river stretch in detail. Earlier, the water was muddy because of excavation work in the upper reaches, making it difficult to inspect the riverbed. Now that the work has stopped, the water is clear and visibility has improved. A detailed search is under way, and the mud and soil dumped in the area will also be completely removed," the minister told reporters.

The intensified operation comes a day after authorities decided to prioritise Zone 2 of the landslide site, where officials believe a detailed excavation could provide fresh clues to locate Rana, the project manager who remains missing.

On Friday, Siddique said extensive inspections had been carried out across Zones 1, 2 and 3 by the NDRF, Fire and Rescue Services and members of Turkey Life Rescue. Following discussions with the NDRF leadership and the District Collector, officials decided to focus on the complete excavation of Zone 2 after video analysis offered renewed hope in the search.

The minister also said the NDRF, which is leading the rescue operation, had expressed satisfaction with the logistical support provided by the state government. Additional tipper lorries, heavy machinery and other equipment requested by the rescue teams had been arranged, while regular review meetings were being held to ensure there were no operational gaps.

Rescue personnel have continued to deploy heavy machinery to clear tonnes of debris while simultaneously searching the Meenachipuzha river downstream for any signs of the missing project manager.

The landslide struck on 7 July near the tunnel construction site at Kalladi in Meppadi Grama Panchayat, burying a large section of the worksite under an estimated 7 to 10 feet of debris.

Seven bodies have been recovered so far. On Friday, rescuers recovered the body of Rajesh, a native of East Midnapore in West Bengal, from the Meenachipuzha river downstream. His body was identified by family members before being sent for post-mortem examination and embalming ahead of being transported to his hometown.

Authorities said the search operation would continue until Vikram Rana is found, with systematic excavation and river searches being carried out under the supervision of the NDRF and the district administration.