The district administration announced that 74 bodies that could not be identified would be laid to rest in public graveyards.
Published Aug 03, 2024 | 12:04 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 03, 2024 | 12:04 PM
Rescuers searching the debris on Friday
A respite from the incessant rain of the past three days provided a crucial window of opportunity for rescue teams in landslide-hit Wayanad on Friday, 2 August. With the intensity of the rain significantly reduced, search operations were scaled up not only in Mundakkai and Chooralmala but also in the surrounding areas, including forests. Eleven bodies were recovered on Friday.
The completion of the Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala has allowed manpower and machinery to be brought upstream into Mundakkai. By 5 pm on Friday, the official death toll was declared as 210. There were also body parts recovered, and that number was put at 134.
A cat emerged, alive, from one of the affected houses in Mundakkai to the surprise of rescue workers. Two women and two men were rescued from Padavetti Kunnu. Hundreds of armed forces and police personnel are joined by volunteers, who continue to scan debris in the hope of finding survivors trapped under the rubble. Specially trained dogs are deployed, to sniff out bodies. The Kerala Police’s K9 (dog) squad is augmented by three trained Army dogs.
Four members rescued
The cat that was rescued
Authorities have also deployed eight drones to monitor areas where bodies may have been swept to by the landslide. These drones are equipped to locate bodies that may be hidden deep within forested areas, after being carried away by the water and debris. Besides pressing 68 earthmovers into service, the Army uses radars to find survivors.
Major General VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area told South First, “The construction of the Bailey bridge has given impetus to the search and rescue operations. We have entered the second phase of the operations after the construction of the bridge. The strength of Army personnel engaged in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief at present is sufficient, and if more is needed we will bring more. At present, we can’t say how long this operation will last. The Army will stay as long as the state government wants us to stay.”
Major General VT Mathew
Other than Mundakkai and Chooralmala, search operations continue at Attamala and Aaranmala, Punchirimattam, Vellarmala Village Road, GVHSS Vellarmala, and downstream. Forest personnel are searching forest areas for bodies and body parts.
Army cadaver dog searching among the debris
The Chulika Madrassa in Meppadi has offered its hall to the health department to facilitate post-mortem examinations on bodies recovered. This will augment the existing post-mortem facility in the area, and may expedite the proper identification of bodies. Nilambur Hospital has also enhanced its post-mortem capabilities. Officials of the health department said the Madrassa facility will serve as a back-up centre.
The district administration announced that 74 bodies that could not be identified would be laid to rest in public graveyards. This is to offer a dignified farewell to those who died but could not be identified and whose families may have perished with them.
Temporary postmortem facility at Chulika Madrasa Hall
Kalpatta Municipal Corporation and gram panchayats of Vythiri, Muttil, Kaniyampatta, Padinjarathara, Thondarnadu, Edavaka, and Mullankolli will make provision for the final rites. The bodies are currently housed in various locations within Meppadi gram panchayat; they will be handed over to the secretaries of the different local bodies after completion of formalities. Sreedhanya Suresh of the Registration Department is the nodal officer overseeing this process.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has declared Meppadi grama panchayath including Kottapadi village, Vellarmala village and Thrikaipetta village of Vythiri taluk of Wayanad as disaster-affected, with effect from 30 July. Designating a place thus allows the government to allocate resources and chalk out special programmes for rehabilitation and resettlement.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
