WAYANAD: Search operations in Wayanad, Kerala, have continued for the 10th consecutive day following the devastating landslides that struck the region on July 30. Rescue teams are intensifying their efforts to recover the remains of those buried deep beneath the debris, with additional cadaver dogs being deployed to aid in the search.
Indian Air Force helicopters have been used to drop special search teams into hard-to-reach areas along the Chaliyar River. In addition to the canine units, more rescuers and heavy machinery have been brought in to assist in the ongoing operations across six zones in the severely impacted areas of Chooralmala and Mundakkai.
The landslides have claimed 225 lives and displaced thousands, prompting an extensive response involving the Fire Force, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), volunteers, and local residents. The search and rescue operations are expected to continue as the teams work tirelessly to recover and identify those who lost their lives.
As the Indian Army, including its dog squad, concluded its prolonged search, rescue, and restoration mission, residents of Wayanad bid them farewell. The army's contribution has been vital in the relief efforts, and their departure marks a significant moment in the ongoing recovery process.
The Kerala High Court has taken notice of the situation and has initiated a suo moto case to examine the legal measures that can be taken to address issues such as illegal mining and flood management. The division bench, comprising Justices Jayasankaran Nambiar and VM Shyamkumar, emphasized the need for legal interventions to prevent such disasters in the future.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the landslide-affected areas in Wayanad on August 10. During a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, the Chief Minister revealed that the state government has requested the central government to declare the landslides a national disaster and a severe calamity.
As of now, post-mortem examinations have been conducted on 420 bodies recovered from the affected areas. Of these, 178 bodies have been handed over to their families, while 233 burials have already taken place. The Chief Minister confirmed that DNA samples from the remains of 195 individuals have been sent for testing, with the search for more bodies still ongoing.
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