Search To Continue for Missing Persons in Disaster-Hit Areas of Wayanad: Kerala CM Navy and Coast Guard’s Assistance To Be Sought for the Search in the Arabian Sea

 Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the search operations in disaster-hit areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad district will continue to trace the persons still missing in the humongous tragedy.

The chief minister said 154 people are estimated to be still missing in the disaster-hit areas. Intensive search and surveillance will continue at Punjirmattam, the landslide epicentre, along the landslide water flow paths, he told media persons here on Tuesday.

The search operation is also being carried out by teams comprising the army, forest department and fire force at Punjirmattam, Mundakkai and Chooralmala and Chaliyar from Soochippara waterfalls to Pothukallu and Nilambur.

The Cabinet subcommittee has directed the teams to intensify the search along the banks of Chaliyar river and the adjoining forest area. Discussions will be held with the Navy and Coast Guard to determine if the bodies have landed in the Arabian Sea via the Chaliyar River.

Six bodies including five from Wayanad and one from Nilambur, were recovered during the search on Monday. The official death toll in the tragedy has reached 224. As many as 30 unidentified bodies and 154 body parts were cremated at the crematorium of Harrisons Malayalam Limited plantation in Puthumala with all-religion prayers.

So far, rescue workers have recovered 150 bodies from Wayanad, 76 from Nilambur and 181 body parts. Wayanad district collector has been directed to acquire more land under the Disaster Management Act for burying the bodies and body parts.

At present 88 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals.

The process of confirming the identity of unidentified bodies by conducting DNA tests is being expedited. DNA testing will also be done in private labs complying with the existing rules.

The Chief Secretary has been entrusted with the task of holding discussions with top officials and deciding the further activities of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force), which are doing excellent work in search and rescue operations. The Relief Commissioner has been tasked with taking necessary steps for the visit of a four-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) headed by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Counselling services are being provided for the victims of the disaster. So far, 2391 people have been counselled. Those who have lost their mobile phones will be given a new phone, SIM card and connectivity.

Instructions have also been issued to distribute free ration through ration shops in the affected areas. Mobile police patrolling has also been strengthened round the clock in Mundakkai and Chooralmala disaster-affected areas.

The District Child Protection Unit has implemented a programme in relief camps to reduce the mental stress of the children. The project aims to reduce mental stress by engaging children in creative activities.

The scheme also aims to prevent children from getting isolated in camps and to free them from the traumatic memories of the tragedy.