49 children missing or dead in Wayanad landslides, confirms Minister Sivankutty

Wayanad: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Friday that 49 children have either gone missing or died in the landslide disaster in Wayanad district. Meanwhile, he assured that the government would rebuild two schools that were damaged in the landslide. The minister stated that he would meet with the Chief Minister and notify him of the latest developments.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the landslides rises to 298. A total of 107 dead bodies were identified, and 105 dead bodies were handed over to relatives after the post-mortem procedures. 

Further, the rescue operation to find those who went missing in landslides here resumed on Friday. The Wayanad District Collector has informed that the rescue operations will be coordinated by dividing the landslide-hit area into six zones.

Approximately 1300 Army personnel have been deployed in the area to expedite the rescue operation, along with NDRF, Coast Guard, and other volunteers. Additionally, locals and Forest Department officials will be included in each of the rescue teams that will cover different areas.

The rescue operation has entered its fourth day, led by the army. Search efforts continue in the affected areas, including Mundakkai and Attamala, although the army believes there is little chance of finding anyone alive. General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, Major General Vinod Mathew, stated in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that many bodies are yet to be recovered.