Dozens of bodies floating in Chaliyar river; One headless body washes ashore

MALAPPURAM: Eleven dead bodies appeared on the shores of the Chaliyar River in Nilambur Pothukallu, Malappuram in the massive landslide in Meppadi Mundakkai in Wayanad. The death toll in the landslide has risen to 44.

The body of a three-year-old boy was found first in Kunipala. A seven-year-old girl's body was found under the Panamkayam bridge while several other bodies were found in the Chaliyar river. The dead body of a woman was found in the Bhutanam Machikai area. Three dead bodies were recovered from Chaliyar's Munderi Iruttukuthikadav.

A man's body was found in a decapitated state. Many bodies remain unidentified. Household items including gas cylinders are also seen in the river.

The situation is worsening in Wayanad Mundakkai with the landslide wreaking heavy damage to human lives and properties. The landslide hit the Meppadi village in Mundakkai at 2 am on Tuesday. Even the rescue operation was hindered due to a landslide and the helicopter assigned for the operation had to detour to Kozhikode considering the dangerous terrain. A total of three landslides were reported in the area.

Locals revealed seeing human corpses in several places affected by landslides. Efforts are being made to bring out all the stranded people to safer abodes. Mundakkai, Chooramala and Attamala areas have suffered massive damage.