Dog squads along with mission team; army leave for rescue operations in Wayanad

KALPETTA: The rescue operations have resumed in the landslide hit Wayanad. Dog squads are also there for rescue operations along with the army and mission team. The army has informed that it will intensify the search for those missing in the landslide. Around 264 lives have been lost in the incident so far. The official information is that there are still around 240 people to be found.

So far 98 dead bodies have been recovered from Mundakkai and Chaliyar. 75 bodies have been handed over to their relatives after postmortem. Heavy rains and flash floods have become a challenge for the rescue operation the other day. 1592 people have been rescued so far. 8107 people are safe in relief camps.

Meantime, the army has informed that the construction of Bailey Bridge will be completed by this afternoon. The army is expected to complete the construction of the bridge before afternoon. Once the construction of the bridge is completed, vehicles containing JCBs can be brought to the other side to facilitate rescue operations.

There is also a warning that there is a possibility of another landslide due to heavy rain in Wayanad. Families have been washed away in the disaster. 195 injured people are in hospitals in and around Meppadi. Many of them are in critical condition. 117 people have been shifted to camps after treatment.

The army led a relentless search in the mud-covered disaster area yesterday. Intermittent downpours are hampering the rescue operations. The army, air force, NDRF, SDRF, police, and fire brigade are jointly searching. Many volunteers have come to Wayanad to help them.

The search is after breaking the collapsed roofs and venturing into mud pits.

The remains of the people, washed away by the mountain water that gushed down from the top of the mountain, were floating in the Chaliyar River forty kilometers away. The bodies were brought to Meppadi after post-mortem from Nilambur. Those trapped in Attamala were brought out through a temporary bridge built by the army at Chooralmala and by tying a rope. The army has already rescued around 1,500 people.