270 bodies recovered, more missing

Wayanad, NT Bureau: As Kerala struggled to come to terms with the massive tragedy in this hilly district, the search mission in the worsthit Mundakkai village following the landslides on July 30, resumed Wednesday morning.

Sources hinted that the death toll is likely to go up as more bodies are being recovered. Manorama News reported that 270 bodies were recovered from Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad till Wednesday. The rescue had been temporarily suspended late on Tuesday.

Over 200 people are still missing. As per the district administration, the legal procedures of only 167 deaths were completed. Among the deceased, 77 men, 67 women and 22 children were identified.

The post-mortem of 166 bodies and 61 body parts were performed and 75 were handed over to relatives. Many were feared trapped under the debris. Several injured were taken to WIMS Hospital in Meppadi.

Three bodies found seated on chairs hugging each other

Rescue workers have yet to conduct a thorough search in Chooralmala due to ongoing challenges. The construction of a Bailey Bridge in the area is advancing quickly, with the Army and Navy collaborating on the project.

Completion of the bridge is expected to facilitate the delivery of additional equipment to the site. Meanwhile, fire crews and other rescue personnel are actively involved in recovery efforts.

The body of a toddler has been retrieved from a collapsed house in Chooralmala. Cadaver dogs, trained to locate bodies, are being used to help find those trapped underground.

Rescue workers are focusing their efforts on demolishing collapsed structures to reach victims. They have reported harrowing scenes in the affected areas, including the discovery of three bodies seated on chairs in a house in Mundakkai, as reported by Kerala Kaumudi.

 The heartbreaking condition of those working to save lives, despite depleting their entire savings, is evident in every body they recover.

A public representative involved in the rescue operations described the haunting image of five or six bodies, including children, found embracing each other. He said this distressing sight will remain etched in their memories for the rest of their lives.