KALPETTA: The death toll in the landslides that struck Chooralmala and Mundakkai has touched 200. The entire village of Mundakkai has been washed away in the landslide. Rescue operations started in the area early this morning, but rescue operators could not even reach the areas from Chooralmala to Mundakkai even during emergency times. The vehicles of many including those of officials are parked on the road leading here. District Collector D R Meghashree asked not to park vehicles like that. It takes a lot of time to cross 14 km.

Nine bodies were recovered from Chooralmala Wednesday morning. Only 30 houses remain in Mundakkai now. There were nearly 500 houses in the disaster area. The revenue department informed that 225 people have to be found. More than 7000 are in the relief camps. Mundakkai ward member K Babu said that houses along with layams have been destroyed.

The construction of the bridge should be completed if large vehicles need to cross to rescue the people and carry out rescue operations in the disaster area. Chief Secretary K Venu informed that the construction of the Bailey Bridge, which is being conducted by the army, will not be completed today. The work can be completed only tomorrow. An Air Force aircraft arrived at the Kannur airport with the materials required to construct the temporary bridge. The post-mortem procedures of the bodies recovered from Nilambur have been completed.