Lagatar24 Desk
Wayanad: Braving relentless rains and treacherous terrain, 40 rescue teams resumed their search operations on Friday in the landslide-hit Wayanad district. This marks the fourth day of intensified efforts to locate survivors and recover bodies in the wake of devastating landslides that have claimed 295 lives, with over 200 people still missing.
The search operations, which began early in the morning, gained significant momentum with the completion of a 190-foot-long Bailey bridge. This bridge enables the movement of heavy machinery, including excavators and ambulances, to the hardest-hit areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala hamlets.
A Defence source revealed that search teams, including dog squads, commenced operations at 7 am, meticulously planning their activities based on local intelligence. The 40 teams are divided across six zones in the affected areas: Attamala and Aaranmala (first zone), Mundakkai (second zone), Punchirimattam (third zone), Vellarimala village (fourth zone), GVHSS Vellarimala (fifth zone), and the riverbank (sixth zone).
These joint teams comprise personnel from the army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Defence Security Guard (DSG), Coast Guard, Navy, and the Madras Engineer Group (MEG), along with three local volunteers and one forest department employee.
Adding to these efforts, a three-pronged search operation is set to focus on the Chaliyar River. According to the rescue plan, eight police stations along the 40-kilometer stretch of the river will collaborate with local swimming experts to search for bodies that may have been swept downstream or are trapped along the riverbanks. A police helicopter will also be deployed to aid in the aerial search.
Additionally, a coordinated search operation by the Coast Guard, Navy, and Forest Department will concentrate on the riverbanks and other areas where bodies might be trapped.
According to official sources, the full extent of human loss will become apparent as rescuers clear houses covered by debris and wood logs using heavy machinery. The current death toll stands at 295, with over 200 people still missing.
State Revenue Minister K Rajan announced that a drone-based radar from Delhi is expected to arrive on Saturday to help locate bodies buried in the mud. He also mentioned that six dogs are currently assisting in the search operations, with four more expected to join from Tamil Nadu.
