Wayanad tragedy: Death toll rises to 76; bodies of 24 identified, flash floods amidst rescue operations

WAYANAD: The death toll has risen to 76 in the landslide that struck Meppadi Mundakkayi. Nine more bodies were recovered from the Chaliyar River. The death toll is including this. Reports said the death toll is likely to rise again. Another landslide is suspected to have struck amidst the rescue operations. A flash flood in the Mundakkayi River led to another landslide. This is hampering the rescue operations.

The bodies of 24 have been identified. The bodies identified are that of Ramlath (53), Ashraf (49), Kunhimoideen (65), Lenin, Vijeesh (37), Sumesh (35), Salam (39), Shreya (19), Premaleela, Regina, Damodaran, Kousalya, Vasu, Ayesha, Amina, Jagadhish, Anaz, Nafeesa (60), Jameela (65), Bhaskaran (62) and Afziya Zakeer. Three children are among the dead and they are Sahana (7), Ashina (10), and Ashwin (14). Many are trapped under the debris. Military, fire force, and locals are included in the rescue mission. The people were directed not to go to the place where the tragedy had happened.

The army’s engineering group will reach Wayanad for the rescue operations. The Army's engineering department will implement an alternative system following the collapse of the bridge. The landslide struck Mundakkai early this morning at 2 am. There were houses on both sides of the river. All houses in this area have been completely washed away. Heavy rains are hampering the rescue operations.

Meantime, the principal director of the local self-government department, Seeram Sambasiva Rao, has been appointed as a special officer to coordinate disaster management and relief operations in the wake of massive landslides in Wayanad. The government issued an order appointing a special officer to coordinate disaster management and relief operations and provide necessary support to the district collector and district administration.