KALPETTA: The authorities are planning to seek help of drones and other technologies to recover bodies of those who died in the Meppadi landslides. The drone which was used to find Kozhikode native Arjun in the Shirur landslide in Karnataka will be brought to Wayanad. The rescue operation using this drone will begin tomorrow.

Thermal scanning will also be done. The state government had also sought the help of the team of Retd Major General Indrabalan, who participated in the Arjun rescue mission. The IBOD drone will be used under his leadership. Area mapping of the landslide area is also being prepared.

Meanwhile, the number of people killed in the Wayanad landslides has risen to 283. 240 people are yet to be found. Search is going on vigorously in the disaster area.

"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.