Thiruvananthapuram : Search will be conducted using local community, including those housed in camps, for the persons who are still missing in Mundakai and Chooramala in the wake of devastating landslides that struck on 30 July in Wayanad. Those in camps will be fetched in vehicles to the disaster site accompanied by security personnel and volunteers.
The search will be split into 6 zones and possible means would be deployed to find the missing, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a press conference Thursday. Search operations in Wayanad is meanwhile ongoing. Prime Minister will visit Wayanad on Saturday. The State requested the Centre to declare Wayanad landslides as national disaster and extreme national disaster.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed a 9-member committee headed by Home Secretary to assess the severity of the disaster and submit a report. The State in its request, asked for a comprehensive rehabilitation package. From indications so far, things appear favourable. Families of disaster victims should be helped and their rehabilitation must be ensured. Considering how important it is to build a safe township for these people, it is expected of the Centre to provide assistance. A letter detailing all aspects has been written to the Prime Minister recently, said CM.
Statistics : There have been 225 deaths confirmed officially in the landslide – 148 in Mepadi and 77 in Nilambur. Added to these are 195 body parts from different places. DNA testing is being conducted on all body parts in an effort to establish their identities. The names of 132 missing people have been published. A total of 420 autopsies were carried out. 178 dead bodies were handed over to concerned relatives. A total of 234 cremations were done. 641 families comprising 1942 people are living across 14 camps. 91 government quarters shall be constructed for temporary housing, CM told reporters.
