Hyderabad: One more body and two body parts were recovered on the banks of the Chaliyar River in Nilambur during the search operation carried out by the team of security personnel and volunteers for the people who are still missing after the devastating landslide.
The remains were retrieved from Munderi Iruttukutty and Chaliyar Kottupara Kadavu. Revenue Minister K Rajan told media persons that search operations will continue on Tuesday in areas that have been demarcated for the purpose.
Search operations took place on Monday, extending to the Soochippara area. Seven teams operated across a region stretching from the Kalakan River to Soochippara's third waterfall. The Fire Force, NDRF, forest officials, and volunteers are all actively involved in the search across different sites.
Official reports state that 229 individuals lost their lives and more than 130 are missing following the landslides in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala areas of Wayanad district on July 30. Currently, 51 bodies remain unidentified.
Presently, 1,770 people from the areas affected by the disaster have been accommodated in 15 relief camps.
Next week, a specialised team constituted by the Disaster Management Authority is scheduled to visit and thoroughly inspect areas prone to landslides. They will assess the habitability of these zones and provide recommendations. This six-member team, headed by Dr. John Mathai, a former scientist at the National Earth Science Centre, will also review the land proposed by the government for the relocation of the landslide-affected families.
The authorities have initiated measures at two camps to reissue documents to people who lost these in the landslide. The process of collecting information from the individuals is currently on inthe camps located at St. Joseph's School and Government LP School in Meppadi.
A special camp was organised on Monday for those affected by the landslide disaster, including individuals who have lost their documents. Officials of various departments including IT Mission, and Akshaya are helping the landslide-affected people at the camps in St. Joseph's UP School and Mount Tabor High School. The revenue minister said 1162 new certificates have been given to 878 affected people at these camps.
Meanwhile, the revenue minister said the process of publishing the DNA test results of the unidentified bodies and body parts would begin soon. The DNA test results will help in identifying the bodies and organ parts that were retrieved from he disaster sites.
Officials said that the government was expediting the process of shifting affected families to temporary houses. The authorities have identified 250 houses for this purpose.
The minister said that rent would be given to those who identify temporary houses on their own. Besides, rent would also be given to families which are staying with their relatives.
Kerala Bank has waived loans for those affected by disasters at its Chooralmala branch following the severe landslides in Mundakkai, Wayanad district. The bank's governing council has resolved to forgive the full loans of deceased borrowers and those who have lost their mortgaged homes and properties.
Additionally, Kerala Bank contributed Rs 50 lakh to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund on July 30. Furthermore, Kerala Bank employees have agreed to voluntarily contribute five days' worth of their salaries to the fund.
