The search and rescue operation in Wayanad, following the catastrophic landslide that claimed the lives of over 360 people, has now entered its final stages on the seventh day. The focus of the operation has shifted to the Chaliyar River basin and other areas that are difficult to access through traditional means. In response to the challenging conditions, authorities have deployed a specialized team via helicopter to search these remote locations for additional bodies or remains.
On the seventh day of the operation, six more bodies were recovered. Additionally, on Monday, 30 bodies and 154 body parts were cremated with interfaith prayers, a solemn process that underscores the scale of the tragedy. Among the 30 bodies, 14 were identified as women, 13 as men, while three bodies could not be identified by gender.Â
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) MR Ajithkumar reported that the search operations are concentrating on areas where the mud has accumulated to a depth of nearly 50 meters. These locations are critical as they represent some of the last places that need to be searched.
On Monday, the effort involved a significant number of personnel, with 1,174 members from various forces deployed across six zones. This substantial workforce included 913 volunteers and local residents organized into 112 teams, along with 137 Indian Army personnel. The increased deployment of machinery aims to speed up the search and rescue operations, particularly in and around the Chaliyar River basin, near a local school, village, and downstream areas. Dog squads from three different forces, together with the Army, have been active in searching areas such as Churalmala.
To date, rescue teams have recovered 150 bodies from Wayanad and 76 from Nilambur, with 181 body parts collected—24 from Wayanad and 157 from Nilambur. ADGP Ajithkumar emphasized that the search efforts continue intensively, especially in the inaccessible regions along the Chaliyar river. Recently, some local volunteers who had become stranded in these challenging areas were rescued, highlighting the complexity of the operation.
Given the difficulties of reaching some areas, authorities have turned to unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver food packets to locations that traditional means cannot access. Advanced drones, capable of carrying supplies for up to 10 people at a time, have been employed to ensure that those in remote areas receive necessary provisions.
In terms of recovery and rebuilding efforts, the Kerala government has announced a comprehensive rehabilitation package. This initiative includes acquiring land, constructing new houses, and establishing infrastructure to support the displaced residents. The government aims to address both immediate needs and long-term recovery for the affected population in Wayanad.
Earlier, there were concerns raised by the Environment Ministry about the approval of multiple projects in Wayanad by the Kerala government over the past four years. These projects, including non-coal mining initiatives, were reportedly approved without a thorough study of the region’s geomorphology and topography, which may have contributed to the landslide disaster.
In response to the crisis, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that his government would construct 100 houses for the victims of the landslide. He expressed solidarity with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, emphasizing a collaborative effort to rebuild and restore hope in the affected areas.
Scientists have attributed the landslide, which occurred on July 30, to a combination of factors including deforestation, mining in the fragile terrain, and climate change. This disaster highlights the urgent need for careful environmental management and improved disaster preparedness in regions prone to such catastrophic events.
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