Wayanad Landslide Disaster: Death Toll Reaches 402, Search for Missing 170 Continues
The rescue operations in landslide-affected areas of Wayanad, Kerala, entered their eighth day on Tuesday, with a death toll of 402 and around 170 people still missing.
A team of over 1,200 personnel from various forces and volunteers is searching for the missing persons in the four worst-affected areas of Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Punchirimadom.
Special teams are searching the Chaliyar River, where several bodies and dismembered body parts have been recovered in the past few days. DNA tests are being conducted on all such body parts.
Over 10,300 people are being housed in over 100 relief camps set up in educational institutions in and around the affected areas.
State Revenue Minister Rajan said the government is planning to shift people from relief camps to resorts, closed homes, and other suitable places.
The government will ensure that none of the affected people are left uncared for. The weekly cabinet meeting will be held online on Wednesday to discuss rehabilitation efforts.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will announce the decisions taken during the meeting. Help is pouring into the Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund, and the state government has decided that all employees will contribute their salaries for five days to the fund.
The rescue operations will continue until the Army takes a final call. The government is working tirelessly to provide relief and support to the affected people.
