Wayanad landslide: Death toll may exceed 400; Challenges in determining exact numbers

Meppadi (Wayanad): The death toll in Wayanad is rising day-by-day despite all efforts being made in the ongoing rescue operations. Officials and volunteers are tirelessly working to find the missing and rescue survivors. The landslide at Mundakkai-Chooralmala, now one of the country's largest natural disasters, is feared to have claimed over 400 lives. As of Thursday evening, 189 deaths have been officially confirmed, with 425 people still unaccounted for. 

The rescue operation has entered 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.

So far, the bodies of 85 men, 76 women, and 27 children have been found. One's body cannot be identified as male or female. A total of 107 bodies have been identified, and 100 bodies have been found. It is challenging to determine the exact death toll as many bodies are dismembered.

Bodies and remains recovered from Malappuram were brought to Wayanad. Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on 279 bodies, including body parts. A protocol is in place for the cremation of bodies without heirs. Currently, 96 people are undergoing treatment in hospitals, and 129 have been relocated to camps after treatment.

School holiday in seven districts
Due to continued heavy rains, holidays have been declared for educational institutions in the districts of Wayanad, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, and Palakkad on Friday.