Wayanad: Rescue operations in the four landslide-stricken villages of Kerala’s Wayanad have reached their eighth day on Tuesday, with the death toll climbing to 402 and approximately 170 individuals still unaccounted for.
The robust rescue team, numbering over 1,200 and consisting of members from the Defence forces, NDRF, SDRF, police, fire services, and volunteers, initiated searches early morning in the four most severely impacted areas: Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Punchirimadom.
Specialized teams have been scouring the Chaliyar River, where numerous bodies and fragmented remains have been retrieved in recent days.
DNA testing is underway for all recovered body parts.
More than 10,300 individuals are being sheltered in over 100 relief camps, predominantly established in educational institutions near the affected zones.
On Tuesday, the State Revenue Minister announced that the Local Self Government (LSG) department has been directed to compile a list of government-owned buildings, identify currently unoccupied homes, and gather information on the number of resorts in the vicinity.
“State Education Minister V. Sivankutty is en route, and we will shortly determine the continuation of educational activities. Standard operating procedures will be established. Currently, many relief camps are situated in educational institutions. Once we receive the list from the LSG department, we will relocate individuals to resorts, vacant homes, and similar facilities,” stated Rajan.
“We guarantee that no one in the affected areas will be neglected. The weekly cabinet meeting will take place online on Wednesday, where further decisions regarding rehabilitation will be taken, and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will make the announcement,” Rajan added.
As the rescue operations proceed into the eighth day, they will continue until the Army makes a definitive decision.
Assistance is flowing into the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, and it has been decided that all state government employees will donate five days’ worth of their salaries to the fund.
