Meppadi: In one of the most horrific disasters in recent history for Kerala, the death count in the Wayanad landslide has risen to 331, unofficially. People engaged in rescue operations and relief activities in the landslide-hit area fear that the number of deaths will increase further as rescue team members continue to retrieve bodies from the debris. Even as the rescue mission is proceeding at full throttle, the entire state stands frozen before the unprecedented catastrophe, which had furiously wiped out the traces of lives in two hamlets.

People are seen crying everywhere in Chooralmala and Mundakkai as they have lost their family members and houses in the tragedy. So far, the government has confirmed only 199 deaths. This includes 89 men, 82 women, and 28 children. Post-mortems have been conducted on 181 bodies. According to the people of the region, there is no information regarding 200 persons who went missing in the landslide.

Relatives have identified the bodies of 133 persons. Additionally, 130 human body parts have been retrieved from various spots in the landslide-hit area. Officials have said that 116 dead bodies and 87 human body parts have been handed over to the families of the victims.

Many survivors are receiving treatment at various hospitals. According to official information, 264 persons are undergoing treatment in hospitals. Apart from Wayanad, around 90 persons are being treated in hospitals in Kozhikode and Malappuram.

On Friday, rescue operations led by the armed forces continued. Army, NDRF, and Coast Guard teams are conducting operations in the area, splitting into 40 groups. On Thursday, rescue attempts were made in the low-lying area near Punchirimattam, situated above Mundakkai junction. The teams have moved from Mundakkai to search for any remaining traces of life in that region. The force is also using cadaver dogs to identify human presence in the debris. Currently, the team is focusing on the region where the landslide occurred. In Malappuram, local police, fire services, and voluntary organizations are conducting rescue operations.

According to rescue team members, more bodies could be retrieved from the area near Vellarmala village office. Branches of trees had flowed to this region during the landslide. Around 30 bodies have already been recovered from the village office precincts.