Wayanad, Aug 5: The death toll from the devastating landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district rose to 387 with 180 people including Odisha’s Dr. Swadhin Panda still reported missing as the rescue operations entered the seventh day on Monday.
A rescue team of over 1,500 personnel from all three defense forces, NDRF, SDRF, police, fire service, and volunteers began searches early Monday morning in the four worst-affected areas: Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Punchirimadom.
Around 100 relief camps have been set up, accommodating close to 9,500 displaced people. Additionally, 81 individuals are currently admitted to various hospitals in the district.
It is worth noting that two doctors from Odisha, along with their wives, were on a vacation to Kereal when the devastating landslide occurred. The body of Dr. Bishnu Prasad Chinara was recovered on July 31, while Dr. Swadhin Panda remains untraceable. The wives of both doctors, Priyadharini Pal and Swikruti Mohapatra, are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital after being rescued in critical condition.
Hospitals are crowded with anxious relatives and friends as numerous unidentified bodies are brought in. The situation is made even more distressing by the recovery of a significant number of dismembered body parts from the debris, with authorities conducting DNA tests to identify them.
A Cabinet sub-committee comprising four state ministers is overseeing the rescue and relief operations. In response to a call from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, contributions have been pouring into the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.
