Wayanad: On the fifth day of rescue operations in Kerala, the death toll from the catastrophic natural disaster reached 344, with 206 individuals still unaccounted for following the severe landslides and floods in Wayanad.
The extensive rescue team, numbering over 1,500 and including members from all Defence forces, NDRF, SDRF, police, fire service, and volunteers, initiated searches early Saturday morning in the most severely impacted areas of Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Punchirimadom.
To date, 146 bodies have been identified, while the identities of 74 remain unknown. Among the deceased are 30 children.
Numerous dismembered body parts have also been retrieved from the rubble. Approximately 100 relief camps have been established, sheltering nearly 9,500 displaced individuals. Currently, 84 individuals are receiving medical treatment in various hospitals throughout the district.
Actor Mohanlal, who holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the 122 Territorial Army and is part of the Kannur unit, visited the disaster-stricken areas with his unit on Saturday morning.
Clad in military gear, he first reached the base camp in Meppadi, where he met with the Defence forces, and then proceeded to Churalmala to engage with the rescue team.
