Wayanad Landslides Deaths Reach 344, Survivors Looked For by Deep Search Radars

Wayanad: The number of deaths in the landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad reached 344 on Saturday.

The rescuers used deep search radars to locate survivors trapped under the debris and in collapsed houses. The Kerala government had requested the Centre to send deep search radars to aid in the rescue operations.

One Xaver radar from Northern Command and four Reeco radars from Tiranga Mountain Rescue Organisation, Delhi, were airlifted in an Air Force Aircraft to Wayanad on Saturday to assist the rescue operations.

Over 200 people remain missing in the landslides. Over 1,300 rescuers are searching for survivors under the debris.

The Kerala government has issued guidelines, including collection of DNA and dental samples and for burial of the remains. As per the guidelines, an identification number should be assigned to each body or body part.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who visited Wayanad on Thursday and Friday said that the Congress will build over 100 houses for the affected families in the landslide-hit district.

Six children were rescued from a remote tribal settlement after an eight-hour operation by Kerala forest department officials in Wayanad.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall for Saturday and Sunday in Wayanad. Rainfall is predicted to lash the district till August 6.