WAYANAD: The death toll in the landslide that struck Meppadi Mundakkai has reached 57. This figure includes the bodies of many people recovered from various places in the river in the Nilambur Pothukal area. The death toll is likely to rise further. The bodies of ten have been identified. The bodies are that of Ramlath (53), Ashraf (49), Kunhimoideen (65), Lenin, Vijeesh (37), Sumesh (35), Salam (39), Shreya (19), Premaleela and Regina. A naval team will arrive from Ezhimala for the rescue operations.

The NDRF teams are presently trying to cross to the Mundakkai area after tying a big rope across the river. 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.

Meanwhile, two helicopters that came to check the possibility of airlifting for the rescue operations in Wayanad returned without being able to land. The rescue operations came to a standstill after the helicopters returned to Kozhikode. The landslide struck Mundakkai early this morning at 2 am. 190-member army team has left for Wayanad. A company from the Territorial Army Kozhikode 122 Battalion will leave soon. A group of 50 people is leaving.