Wayanad: Puthumala search operations still on
Five more bodies yet to be found as radars from NGRI fail to function.
Wayanad: The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), based at Hyderabad, has failed to assist the search and rescue teams which are continuing operations in challenging conditions after rains led to landslides at Puthumala, in Wayanad district on Tuesday. Five more bodies are yet to be located from the site.
The team from the GPR system expressed their helplessness and cited the difficult topography and terrain. They said it is not ideal for search operations with the system. The team would return on Wednesday.
A special team with experts from forest department, organisations like National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue would continue the search for the remaining bodies at the deep crevices near the Soochippara waterfalls, at the lower reaches of the Puthumala landslide zone. The area is about 7 km down from the spot from where two bodies were retrieved the other day.
Meanwhile, the two bodies retrieved earlier were yet to be identified. Moves are foot to conduct the DNA test with samples collected from the bodies and that of the close relatives. So far, 12 bodies were retrieved from the landslide spot. With 11 days passing, five more bodies are still kept buried deep somewhere.
Meanwhile, an expert team has been deputed to examine the landslide prone zones of the district including Puthumala and submit a report within a week to speed up rehabilitation procedures. Ten teams with two members each would start vesting the landslide zones of the district.