Kerala government announces Rs 6 lakh compensation to families of deceased

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 6 lakh to the families of those who perished in the landslides at Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad district on July 30.

The chief minister specified that out of the Rs 6 lakh ex-gratia, Rs 4 lakh would come from the State Distress Relief Fund (SDRF), and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

The government has decided to grant Rs 75,000 to individuals who have lost their eyes, limbs, or have more than 60 per cent disability, and Rs 50,000 to those with 40 to 60 per cent disability from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

An order will be issued to compensate the families of the Wayanad landslide victims, by the State Disaster Management Authority's jurisdiction, based on the Next of Kin certificate for financial assistance approval. This approach mirrors the one used during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Consequently, spouses, children, and parents can receive compensation without a succession certificate. Dependent brothers and sisters are also eligible for financial assistance. This approach eliminates the delay typically associated with obtaining a succession certificate.

Additionally, the standard 30-day notice period for objections before issuing a follow-up certificate will be waived.

A monthly rental allowance will be approved by CMDRF for those displaced by the Wayanad landslide, allowing them to move into rented accommodations. Each family is eligible for up to Rs. 6,000 per month. This allowance also applies to families relocating to their relatives' homes.

231 bodies, 206 body parts recovered so far

As of now, 231 bodies and 206 body parts have been recovered from the Wayanad landslide. Out of these, 151 bodies were discovered in Meppadi and 80 in Nilambur. In addition, 39 body parts were recovered in Meppadi, and 172 in Nilambur. Autopsies have been performed on all the retrieved bodies and body parts.

A total of 178 identified bodies along with two body parts were handed over to their respective families. In the Wayanad incident, authorities found 52 unidentified bodies and 194 body parts. Adhering to special government directives, these remains were cremated with prayers from diverse religious factions. Meanwhile, five more body parts were located in Kumbalappara, Nilambur, but confirmation of their human origin is pending.

The samples collected from the affected areas set for forensic analysis. Of the 415 samples collected, including bodies and body parts, DNA testing has been finalized on 401. From these, 349 body parts have been identified as belonging to 248 individuals, consisting of 121 men and 127 women.

Fifty-two body parts are completely decomposed. DNA tests have been performed using blood samples from 115 individuals. The blood samples from the relatives of three individuals from Bihar are yet to be received.

Based on DNA tests, 118 individuals remain unaccounted for.

Search operation intensified

The search efforts have been intensified in the Nilambur and Wayanad regions, particularly along the riverbanks beneath the Chooralmala bridge. The operation involves teams from the NDRF, fire services, civil defense, police, forest department, and volunteers, organized into seven distinct zones.

Approximately 2,000 individuals joined the search on Wednesday. The authorities have planned to continue the search along the Chaliyar River until Friday.

Contributions touch Rs 142 crore in CMDRF

The Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) has received a total amount of over Rs 142 crore till Wednesday morning.