Unimaginable Tragedy: Wayanad Landslides' Grim Toll

A government doctor recounts the harrowing experience of performing post-mortems on victims of the devastating landslides in Wayanad district. Despite her years of experience, the severe condition of the bodies has deeply affected her. As more bodies are recovered, the mental toll on the medical team increases.

As the toll from the devastating landslides in Wayanad district rises, a government doctor shared a grim account of the tragedy. Posted at a local hospital for post-mortem examinations, she is witnessing scenes that will haunt her forever.

"I'm accustomed to performing post-mortems, but nothing could have prepared me for this," she said emotionally.

"The body was so severely crushed, I couldn't bear to look twice. It was unlike anything I've ever seen," she added, describing one victim.

The doctor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has years of experience, but the scale of destruction has left her shaken.

"I've seen many bodies in my career, but this was different. The impact was so severe, it was as if the person had been pulverized," she reported.

As more bodies arrived, most highly disfigured, she felt overwhelmed.

"I told myself I couldn't handle this when I saw the first body. It was so crushed, and the second was a one-year-old child. I wanted to run away, but had no option. We performed 18 post-mortems that day," she recounted.

As her team was overwhelmed on day one, forensic surgeons arrived from various parts of the state to expedite the post-mortem process.

"There were eight tables for post-mortems, and by evening, each table had a forensic surgeon. By 7.30 pm, we completed 53 post-mortems," the doctor added.

The team continued their work until 11.30 pm, completing autopsies of more than 93 bodies.

"The situation is so pathetic. Even seasoned doctors found it difficult to handle bodies in this state," she noted.

The tremendous force of the impact had often shredded victims. Doctors had to collect samples of organs for DNA analysis to identify them.

Working under high mental stress and without rest, doctors continue to dissect bodies.

More bodies are being recovered from previously inaccessible disaster sites.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George stressed the need for psychological counselling for survivors, many of whom witnessed disturbing scenes.