Kerala CM Reports 215 Bodies Recovered in Wayanad Landslides, Calls for Improved Warning Systems

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reports 215 bodies recovered in Wayanad landslides, with 206 people still missing. Emphasizing improved warning systems, he highlights relief efforts, including contributions from political leaders and actors. The death toll reaches 308 as relief operations continue.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that 215 bodies have been recovered so far in the landslides-hit Wayanad as rescue operations near completion. According to Vijayan, 206 people remain missing, while 83 individuals are receiving medical treatment in hospitals located in Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts. A total of 10,042 people were moved to shelter camps.

CM Vijayan stressed the need for revising early warning systems, advocating for the development of more descriptive alert methods to account for changing climate patterns. He also emphasized constructing a special township for rehabilitation in Chooralmala, which suffered extensive damage from the landslides. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has pledged to help build 100 houses in Chooralmala.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also offered to build 100 homes for the displaced. Meanwhile, the QR code for donations to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund has been disabled, with contributions now being accepted via UPI ID or net banking. Vijayan thanked various contributors and confirmed that substantial donations have been received from political leaders, actors, businesses, and ordinary citizens.

The death toll from the massive landslides on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad stands at 308, according to Health Minister Veena George. To date, 215 bodies and 143 body parts have been recovered, and post-mortem exams have been completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts. So far, 148 bodies have been identified by relatives.

Hospital data indicates that 82 people are currently undergoing treatment, while 504 individuals were initially brought to hospitals from the disaster site and 205 have since been discharged. Search operations, assisted by dog squads and Indian Army relief teams, are ongoing. The arrival of Xaver Radar and Reeco Radars from New Delhi will enhance the search efforts.

Chief Minister Vijayan also praised the courageous efforts of rescue teams, highlighting a successful 8-hour operation that saved six lives from a remote tribal settlement. This rescue reminded everyone of Kerala's resilience and collective strength in times of crisis.