The death toll from the landslide that struck Wayanad on Tuesday has risen to 308, Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed Friday. As of now, 195 bodies and 113 body parts have been recovered, with rescue and relief operations ongoing in the affected areas of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in the Meppadi region.
The Indian Army handed over a 190-foot Bailey Bridge to the civil administration, connecting Chooralmala and Mundakkai regions, which were isolated due to landslides.
The Defence statement revealed that high earth movement equipment was shifted to the other side, and vehicle movement was being regulated by the civil administration.
Additionally, the Army personnel held a meeting at the Wayanad District Collector’s office, where search operations began at 7 am with 10 teams, each comprising 30 members from Armed Forces personnel and Police, including dog squads.
The affected area has been divided into six zones for search and rescue operations, with each zone designated based on accessibility and prospects of recovering missing persons. The zones are: Zone 1, covering the Punchirimattom region; Zone 2, encompassing the Mundekkai region; Zone 3, focusing on the school area; Zone 4, covering Chooralmala town; Zone 5, focusing on the village area; and Zone 6, covering the downstream region.
Congress leaders visit affected sites
Former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi visited the affected sites on Thursday, meeting with people in shelter camps in Wayanad. They continue to stay in Wayanad on Friday to support the affected residents.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting in Wayanad to assess the situation. He emphasised that rescue operations are the top priority and assured that rehabilitation efforts will follow promptly.
