As search and rescue operations entered day 8 in Wayanad on Tuesday, the district administration is focusing efforts along the Chaliyar river and in dense forest areas. The state government will release a draft list of missing persons later today.
Revenue Minister K. Rajan said as per current estimates, 154 persons are still missing and a draft list is being prepared. “The list is being filtered by officials and it will be released by evening. Relatives and the public can go through the list once released and we will be able to arrive at a final count then,” he said.
District Collector Meghashree D.R. said rescue operations are focused along the Chaliyar river basin. "Intensive search operations are going on," PTI reported quoting the collector. A special team on helicopter is scanning the river for dead bodies and body parts.
M.R. Ajithkumar, ADGP Law and Order said a special team consisting of police and Army commandos have been air dropped in inner forest areas to conduct search operations. According to officials, search is being conducted along the destruction path between Soochipaara and Pothukallu. If any body is found, it will be airlifted, officials said.
The state government has also deployed teams including experts and local body members to assess damage to buildings and collect details of buildings that have to be demolished.
Meanwhile, School Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Tuesday said steps are being taken to resume classes at schools being used as relief camps. The minister added classes will be resumed in these schools within 20 days, after conducting discussions with teachers, PTA and other stakeholders. He said amenities will be improved in the schools before reopening them.
Sivankutty, who is also minister for labour said the labour board will provide financial assistance to families of labourers who died in the landslide. “Rs 1 lakh will be provided to kin of labourers who died in the landslide. Financial assistance will also be provided to those injured and migrant labourers,” he said.
