New Guidelines Issued for Handling Unclaimed Bodies in Kerala Landslide

The Kerala state government has issued new guidelines for the burial of unclaimed and unidentified bodies recovered from landslide-hit areas in Wayanad district. Measures include DNA and dental sample collection, identification numbers for bodies, and clear documentation. The state's Disaster Response Fund will cover burial costs.

In response to the growing number of unclaimed bodies in landslide-hit areas of Wayanad district, the Kerala government has issued detailed guidelines for their burial. The new directive mandates DNA and dental sample collection and the assignment of identification numbers to each body or body part. This identification must be documented in all records, photographs, or videos.

Law enforcement agencies are tasked with making all possible efforts to identify the remains. If identification remains elusive after 72 hours of the inquest, the bodies will be handed over to the district administration, which will then inform local panchayats or municipalities. Immediate burial can be advised for decomposing bodies, with the site clearly marked and recorded.

The guidelines, issued on August 2, stipulate that burials should only be conducted in the presence of local officials. The Disaster Management Authority will certify and cover the costs through the State Disaster Response Fund. To date, 210 bodies and 139 body parts have been recovered, with 147 bodies identified by relatives and approximately 300 people still missing.