The official death toll in the Wayanad landslides has reached 168 as of Wednesday morning and 143 autopsies have been completed. At least 85 are missing and efforts are on to find them, according to local TV reports.
At least 191 people were hospitalised at Dr Moopen's Medical College in Meppadi. A total of 98 people were rescued so far after the search and rescue operation resumed in the morning. Many were feared trapped under the debris.
Heavy engineering equipment and rescue dog teams were airlifted to the affected area. The Indian Coast Guard has also dispatched disaster relief teams, who are equipped with rubber inflatable boats, diesel-driven pumps, life jackets, raincoats and gum boots.
The Army had on Tuesday rescued around 1,000 people using a temporary bridge after the permanent structure was washed away.
The state government has requested the Centre to deploy a 690-feet Bailey bridge. Up to 330 feet of the bridge was arriving from the Madras Engineer Group Centre, Bengaluru, by road while a 110-feet Bailey bridge was being airlifted from Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
