Search for Landslide Victims in Wayanad Enters Fifth Day, Death Toll Exceeds 350

Thiruvananthapuram: Search operations in the landslide-affected areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Kerala's Wayanad district have entered their fifth day on Saturday, with rescue teams continuing to recover more bodies. The death toll, which has already surpassed the 350 mark, is expected to rise as more than 200 people remain missing.

Search operations are continuing in the area involving 1,419 personnel from the Fire Force, NDRF, Forest Department, Police, Indian Army, and volunteers from Tamil Nadu. Besides, K-9 squads and the Tamil Nadu medical teams are taking part in the operations.

Army personnel have deployed advanced equipment like Human Rescue Radar and drone-based radar for effective search operations.

More heavy machinery including earthmovers required for search operations in a wider area, have been transported to Mundakkai using the Baily Bridge constructed by the army.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the rescue operations in Wayanad are in the last phase with a focus on saving lives and relocating stranded individuals. Rescuers risked their lives to find and save anyone showing signs of life.

In a daring rescue operation, forest officials rescued a six-member tribal family including children in Attamala. In Chooralmala, 866 police officers are leading search operations. Fire and Rescue Services, along with volunteers, have played a crucial role, in rescuing around 1,000 people using a zip line bridge and a temporary bridge.

According to officials, so far 215 bodies have been recovered including 87 women, 98 men, and 30 children. Of these, 148 bodies have been handed over to the relatives of the victims, and 206 people are still missing. Identifying bodies from the Chaliyar River in Nilambur is proving difficult.

Sixty-seven unidentified bodies have been found and their cremation would be conducted by local bodies in the presence of religious leaders.

At present 81 injured are undergoing treatment at various hospitals while 205 people discharged from hospitals have been shifted to relief camps. As many as 10,042 people are staying in 93 relief camps in Wayanad, with 1,707 in 10 camps in Chooralmala.

Township for people displaced

The government plans a comprehensive rehabilitation process for the survivors. A new, safer area will be identified for constructing a township.

Education Minister V Sivankutty will visit Wayanad to ensure the education of students affected by the disaster is not disrupted.

The chief minister had earlier appealed to all to contribute generously towards the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). The global community has responded positively. Donations can be made online to CMDRF through various methods, with receipts available for download. The QR code system for UPI transactions has been withdrawn to prevent misuse.

The chief minister's office said that various offers to build houses and provide land, demonstrated the global community's compassion. A 'Help for Wayanad Cell' will coordinate these offers under Joint Land Revenue Commissioner A. Geetha IAS. An email ID (helpforwayanad@kerala.gov.in) and a call centre with dedicated phone numbers (9188940013, 9188940014, 9188940015) have been created for donor communication.