KALPETTA: The army officials informed the state government that no one is left alive in the devastated hamlet of Mundakkai. And now only dead bodies need to be recovered from this area. The total death toll in the landslides reached 297 on Thursday. Kerala Karnataka Sub Area General Officer Commanding (GOC) Major General VT Mathew informed that there is no possibility of anyone being trapped alive in Mundakkai and Attamala areas. This was clarified in a meeting held on Thursday in Wayanad under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The rescue team, including the army, believes that all the survivors have been rescued. A 500-strong force of the Army conducted searches in Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas yesterday braving the heavy rain. Three sniffer dogs were also present for the search.

The Bailey Bridge, built to transport military equipment to the site became operational on Thursday evening after the army's Scorpio jeep made a test run through the bridge. As part of the search, ADGP MR Ajathkumar informed that 1000 policemen are active in the Mundakkai area and 1000 in Malappuram. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that a four-member cabinet sub-committee has been appointed to continue the rescue mission and rehabilitation activities.

29 students studying in two schools in the disaster area are missing. This will include 11 students from Vellarmala School. The bodies of four more children were recovered and identified. 348 buildings including houses were destroyed in the landslide.

The engineering team of the Madras Regiment completed the construction of the Bailey Bridge in 40 hours. The strength of the bridge was tested by carrying an army vehicle. Heavy machinery can be transported from Chooralmala to Mundakkai for rescue operations through the bridge. The search will be intensified from today by bringing equipment including Hitachis. The bridge has a load-bearing capacity of 24 tonnes.