Travel restrictions imposed in Wayanad landslide-affected areas; daily access limited to 1500 people

Meppadi: From Monday, travel restrictions have been enforced in Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas severely impacted by the recent landslides in Wayanad. Only 1,500 persons will be allowed in a day (6 a.m. and 9 p.m) to across the Bailey Bridge, the sole link to the region cut off by road collapse.

Meanwhile, efforts to collect blood samples from relatives for forensic examination have begun to help in identifying the deceased and their body parts. Modern equipment and sensors were deployed on Sunday for search, while roads in Punjirimattam were cleared. Despite a thorough examination with a scanner, no additional body parts were found.

In Chooralmala, eight Hitachi machines were used to remove debris from collapsed houses and large rocks as part of the search operation, which also employed drones. A team of experts further examined the riverbeds and the Soochipara waterfalls.

The KSRTC bus that was stranded in Mundakkai has been brought back via the Bailey Bridge.

Efforts to locate missing persons

The Civil Supplies Department will review ration card records to gather information on missing persons. Data from ration shops 44 and 46 in the landslide-affected area of Meppadi has been provided to the panchayat, taluk, and local self-government departments. Once inspections are completed, details such as the owner's name, cardholders, those covered under the ration card, house names, and Aadhaar phone numbers will be available.

Authorities have announced that the process for issuing duplicate ration cards for those who have lost is underway through the supply office. The operation of two ration shops in the Meppadi landslide area has resumed.

Model resettlement plan – Minister P. Rajeev

Minister P. Rajeev has announced the development of a model resettlement plan for the victims of the Wayanad landslide. The government aims to establish a secure township-based project with collective support. Resettlement will be funded through the government's Disaster Relief Fund. A. Geetha, Joint Commissioner of Land Revenue and former Collector of Wayanad, has been assigned to identify suitable land for resettlement.