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Wayanad landslide: Rescuers recover body parts as massive search ops resume, 130 missing

Wayanad district adminstration publishes draft list of missing persons

(File) Rescuers search through mud and debris after landslides in Wayanad | AP

Rescuers recovered two body parts on Sunday as search operations resumed in landside-hit areas in Wayanad.  A massive search is being carried out as a “last ditch effort” to find over 130 persons still missing after the landslide.

Besides police, fire and rescue personnel and volunteers, members of youth outfits and survivors of the landslide are taking part in the search operation on Sunday. According to authorities, Rescue personnel recovered two bodies from the rivers Kanthanpara, OnManorama reported.

The search is being carried out in six zones in the affected areas including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Punchirimattam, and along the Chaliyar river. Special teams have been deployed for search operations at Soochipara and Kanthanpara. Cadaver dogs are being taken to affected areas to find bodies stuck under debris. 

Though a massive search operation was launched on Friday, it had to be suspended by noon owing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to affected areas. The prime minister, after visiting the affected areas and reviewing the rescue operations, pledged support for the relief and rehabilitation of survivors. During the visit, Modi also interacted with survivors and heard their plight.

During the review meeting on Saturday, the prime minister said, “As soon as the state government submits details about the building of houses, schools, roads, infrastructure and securing the future of the survivors, especially that of children who have lost their parents, there will be full cooperation from our end. I assure you that the nation and the government of India will spare no efforts," PTI reported.

The state government has sought Rs 2000 crore from the Centre for rehabilitation.  Revenue Minister K. Rajan said the region has incurred loss to the tune of Rs 1,200 crore.

Meanwhile, the district administration released a draft list of missing persons and as per the list, 130 persons are still missing. According to the government, 229 persons got killed in the landslide.