Inclement weather hampering rescue operations, death toll in Wayanad climbs to 264, construction of Bailey Bridge to be completed soon

KALPETTA: The death toll in the landslide that struck Meppadi Mundakkai and Chooralmala climbed to 264. Even though the bad weather in Wayanad is hampering the rescue operations, the army is about to complete the construction of the Bailey Bridge. The army believes that the construction of the bridge will be completed before this afternoon. Once the construction of the bridge is completed, vehicles containing JCBs can be brought to the other side to facilitate rescue operations.

Meantime, there is a warning that there is a possibility of another landslide due to heavy rain in Wayanad. It is reported that around 240 people who were buried under the ground in the disaster are yet to be found. 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 yesterday led a relentless search in the mud-covered disaster area. Intermittent rains are obstructing the search operations. Army, Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, Police and Fire Rescue are jointly searching. Many volunteers have come to Wayanad to help them.

The search was carried out by breaking the collapsed roofs and venturing into mud pits. Ten bodies were recovered from Mundakkai yesterday. More than 80 dead bodies have already been found in the Chaliyar River from the Panangayam side. Most of the bodies are scattered beyond recognition.

The remains of the people, washed away by the flashed flood 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.