Engineer from Himachal Pradesh Still Missing After Wayanad Tunnel Landslide
Vikram Rana (58), an engineer from Takoli-Ghirthan village in the Fatehpur subdivision of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, remained untraced on Thursday, the third day after a massive landslide struck a tunnel construction site in Kerala's Wayanad district. Rana is among two persons from Himachal Pradesh reported missing in the devastating incident.
His family continues to wait anxiously and has been living through trauma as rescue teams intensified search operations on the third day, launched by the Kerala government.
Background of the Missing Engineer
According to family members, Rana has been working with the Bhopal-based DBL Company, an engineering, procurement and construction firm, for nearly a decade. After serving on projects in Kota, Rajasthan, he was promoted and posted as Project Manager at the Wayanad tunnel construction project in February this year.
The landslide struck the construction site at around 11 am on July 7, following which all communication between Rana and his family was lost.
Family’s Response and Government Support
On receiving the information, his brothers, Promod Rana and Kulwant Rana, flew to Wayanad and reached the site on Wednesday afternoon. Speaking from Wayanad, Promod Rana said the Kerala government had extended full support to the families of the missing persons. He said the state administration had arranged free accommodation and meals for relatives and that rescue operations were continuing on a war footing.
He added that the Kerala Chief Minister visited the landslide site on Wednesday and directed officials to expedite the rescue efforts. Promod also said he was moved when he received a mobile phone call from Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who assured him that every possible effort was being made to complete the ongoing rescue operation by Thursday evening.
Concerns Over Lack of Contact from Himachal Officials
Meanwhile, Kulwant Rana expressed disappointment that no elected representative or administrative official from Himachal Pradesh had contacted the family to inquire about Vikram Rana's condition or offer any moral support. He said the family was relying on updates from the Kerala authorities and remained hopeful that the rescue teams would locate his brother soon.
