A week after the devastating landslides, the Wayanad district administration organized a mass burial ceremony on Monday for the unidentified victims of the disaster. The ceremony took place in the Puthumala region, where the remains of the victims were interred. Before the burial, an interfaith prayer was conducted to honor the deceased.
The event, which began around 3 pm, was part of the ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of the landslides that struck Wayanad. Kerala Minister K. N. Balagopal commented on the situation, stating, “We cannot provide an exact count of missing body parts. The mass burial is being conducted for the unidentified bodies.”
Puthumala, a village near Chooralmala, has experienced landslides before, notably in 2019. The current relief operations in Wayanad have entered their seventh day. As of August 2, the State Health Ministry reports a death toll of 308, with 220 bodies recovered and 180 individuals still missing.
Relief efforts include 53 camps across Wayanad, accommodating 6,759 people, including 1,983 families, 2,501 males, 2,677 females, 1,581 children, and 20 pregnant women. The government has established 16 additional camps in Meppadi and other gram panchayats, with 2,514 people sheltered in these locations, including 723 families, 943 males, 972 females, 599 children, and six pregnant women.
Rescue camps are operational at various locations, including SDMLP School, D-Paul Public School, RCLP School, GHS School, WMO College, and others. The landslides that hit Chooralmala and Mundakkai on July 30 caused widespread devastation and significant loss of life and property.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had previously instructed the district administration to ensure the formalities, including interfaith prayers, were carried out respectfully.
(WITH INPUTS FROM ANI)
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