Search operations in Wayanad resumed on Monday morning, focusing on locating those still missing following the devastating landslides that have ravaged the region. In a tragic discovery, a group of tribal people found a decomposed body part along the banks of the Chaliyar River. A forest official confirmed that a left hand was discovered wedged between logs on the riverbank. The remains will be transported to Nilambur District Hospital for further examination.
The search, which involves local volunteers and security forces, including the Indian Army, was temporarily halted on Sunday due to heavy rainfall in the Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas. The state government has reported that 229 people have lost their lives due to the landslides, with over 130 individuals still missing. Of the bodies recovered, 51 remain unidentified. The government is set to release the results of DNA tests conducted on the recovered bodies and remains.
To expedite the search process, the government has intensified efforts in five key areas near the Chaliyar River in Malappuram. A special team comprising the Indian Army and Kerala Police’s Special Operations Group will be deployed in the Kanthanpara region, a challenging area due to its proximity to the forest. Volunteers will not be permitted to participate in this particular search area.
A 60-member team, including personnel from the Army, NDRF, Fire Force, and Forest Department, will conduct thorough searches along the riverbanks from Munderi to Parappanpara. IG Sethuraman acknowledged that the search in the river is particularly difficult due to adverse weather conditions. Unofficial reports suggest that 245 bodies have been recovered from the Chaliyar River to date.
A cabinet sub-committee announced that an extensive search operation will be conducted on August 12 and 13 to locate the missing individuals. State Minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas stated that a 190-member team, including NDRF, police, fire force, Civil Defence Force, Forest Department, and volunteers, will be deployed across five zones. The minister also revealed that 253 rental houses have been identified to accommodate the landslide survivors. The rehabilitation process will be carried out in consultation with the survivors, allowing them to choose their preferred panchayat. Basic furniture and essential home appliances will be provided to those relocated.
In addition to the search and rescue efforts, the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) will organize a special camp on Monday in the disaster-struck regions to assist survivors in retrieving lost official documents, including ID cards. This camp will be conducted in collaboration with various departments, IT Mission, and Akshaya centres.
Meanwhile, an expert team from the state disaster management authority will visit the landslide-affected regions to assess whether these areas remain safe for habitation. They will also evaluate potential sites for rehabilitation. The team has been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report to the government within 10 days.
On Sunday, around 2,000 people, including families and survivors, participated in the large-scale search operation. Currently, 1,770 individuals, including 673 women and 439 children, are being housed in 15 relief camps across the region.
