The rescue operations in landslide-hit Wayanad entered day 5 on Saturday and efforts are being concentrated along the river for missing persons. The district authorities said the mortal remains of 119 persons have been handed over to families after autopsy.
The district administration in a statement on Saturday said 215 bodies have been recovered from landslide-affected areas and it includes 87 women and 30 children. Rescuers have also recovered 143 body parts. “Of the 215 bodies, 148 have been identified by relatives,” district administration said in a statement.
“Autopsies of 212 bodies and 140 body parts have been performed and 119 remains were handed over to next of kin,” it said.
M.R. Ajith Kumar, ADGP, Law & Order told ANI, "This is the fifth day of rescue and relief operations. We are trying to see how many bodies can be recovered. The entire area has been divided into six zones and we have been concentrating on the river zone. Along with police officers, forest guards, fire force, coast guards and local people are also on the job.” He added the district administration is receiving queries for over 400 persons and there were workers from other states as well.
Meanwhile, the district administration has requested additional cadaver dogs from neighbouring states and armed forces to expedite rescue operations.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his wife Kamala have contributed Rs 1.33 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
