The devastating landslides in Kerala have left a trail of destruction, with hopes of finding more survivors fading as rescue operations continue in the region. According to officials, 182 people have lost their lives, and nearly 200 are still missing after Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas in Wayanad district were hit by thick torrents of mud and water.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by heavy rains throughout the week, making it challenging for teams to reach affected areas. The army is now constructing a temporary bridge to Mundakkai village, which is across a swollen river, to assist stranded residents and search for more survivors.
Health officials have reported conducting 256 autopsies, including a number of body parts, highlighting the scale of the tragedy. Wayanad remains on high alert for more rains, with schools and colleges closed for the day as a precaution.
The district, known for its cardamom plantations and tea estates, has seen nearly 1,600 people rescued from affected villages and tea estates. However, migrant workers from the estates are still among those missing. More than 8,000 people have been moved to relief camps set up in the district, as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan oversees the rescue and relief efforts.
The army’s construction of a temporary metal bridge to Mundakkai village is expected to aid in the search and rescue operations, allowing ambulances and heavy machinery to access the area. The air force is also conducting sorties to identify survivors and distribute relief material, while army sniffer dogs are being deployed to detect people trapped under the rubble.
As the region braces for more heavy rainfall, the government has issued warnings for residents to be prepared for flash floods. The heartbreaking scenes at relief camps and hospitals, where survivors search for loved ones or wait for news, serve as a stark reminder of the human toll of this natural disaster.
