Buried gas cylinders pose major risk in ongoing Mundakkai rescue efforts; Rescue teams exercise caution

KALPATTA: Rescue operation in Mundakkai, Wayanad, continues for the seventh consecutive day, involving 50 teams operating in 12 zones. Indian Army has joined the search efforts and has assured that they will continue their assistance until the district administration decides otherwise. The Army has also announced plans to gradually transfer the responsibility of the operation to the state administration.

Each search team is composed of personnel from the Fire Force, NDRF and SDRF. Today's inspection is focusing on areas where bodies have previously been found. Survivors and relatives are also involved in the search for the missing. A team from Tamil Nadu has arrived to support the efforts, bringing along five cadaver dogs to aid in today's search.

Rescue operations are facing significant challenges due to gas cylinders buried under the ground during the landslides. So far, 27 gas cylinders have been recovered from various houses and shops. Earthmoving machines are being used cautiously to avoid accidents as more cylinders might be embedded in the soil. The recovered cylinders have been moved to safe locations.

Several cylinders have been spotted floating in the Chaliyar River, posing a risk to the Adivasi communities living along its banks. Rescue workers are concerned that children might try to break the cylinders out of curiosity. The operation to remove these cylinders will commence once the search for bodies is concluded. Drone and radar inspections will continue at the site today.

A cabinet sub-committee meeting regarding the Wayanad tragedy will be held today, led by the Chief Minister, who will participate online from Thiruvananthapuram. Other ministers will join from Wayanad, with the meeting scheduled for 11:30 am.

Current situation and statistics

The death toll from Mundakkai landslide has risen to 387, with 180 people still missing. The bodies of eight unidentified victims have been cremated at Harrison Malayalam Estate in Puthumala. Further cremations are planned for today.