WAYANAD: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that the search operation will continue vigorously in Mundakkai and Chaliyar, which were devasted by the landslides. The Chief Minister was speaking to the media after an all-party meeting in Wayanad.

"Rescue efforts had faced a challenge as it was not possible to deliver the equipment required for the search to the affected areas. With the completion of the Bailey Bridge, more machines can be delivered and the search can be speeded up," the CM said.

The Chief Minister, who said that Kerala is demanding that the landslide in Mundakkai should be declared a national disaster, added that no one should come to Wayanad in person for relief works. Officials, including the Chief Secretary and the DGP, attended the meeting.

"The Cabinet sub-committee consisting of Revenue Minister, Forest Minister, Tourism Minister and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Department Minister will remain in Wayanad and coordinate the missions in the affected areas.

As the current focus is on rescue operations, people evacuated from the accident sites will have to remain in relief camps. The education of the children living in the camps will be ensured. These children can continue learning by remaining where they are now. The Education Department will make special arrangements for this," the CM said.

"Everyone is looking at the tragedy with the same mind. The first priority is to rescue stranded people. All who could be rescued were rescued. Rehabilitation will be done effectively. Those in the camps will be rehabilitated. The camps will be run in a manner that respects people's privacy. Hence, media and other people should not go to the relief camp and record the visuals there. We have communicated with the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister regarding the situation in Wayanad," he said.

"Necessary action will be taken to make sure that those who lost their certificates in the landslide get back their certificates. Those who are spreading false campaigns should not be encouraged. Such people have some special mental state. Let them continue doing that. What happened in Wayanad was a great disaster. Everyone should cooperate to prevent the spread of communicable diseases," he added.