Kerala landslide response intensifies as search continues for missing worker

A landslide on July 7 at the under‑construction Anakkompoyil‑Kalladi‑Meppadi tunnel project in Wayanad, Kerala, buried sections of the site under several feet of debris. Seven bodies have been recovered and construction manager Vikram Rana from Himachal Pradesh remains missing.

State Minister T. Siddique said rescue teams will focus on “Zone 2” with a full excavation, adding that “Now we are concentrating all our inspections and focus on the search operations for Vikram Rana.” The National Disaster Response Force, fire and rescue services, and volunteers—including Turkey Life Rescue—are conducting heavy‑machinery clearing and river searches. The government has also announced Rs 5 lakh assistance for families of the deceased and up to Rs 2 lakh for the injured.

The Kerala government has constituted a five‑member expert panel to investigate the causes of the landslide, examine possible contractual violations by the tunnel contractor, and review environmental and forest clearances. A separate three‑member committee has been tasked with inspecting the site and recommending safe debris removal.

Relief measures such as food, clothing, medical care and transport are being provided to displaced families in camps, while officials continue to monitor the situation.