Massive Search Operation Underway in Wayanad After Devastating Landslides

In the aftermath of the devastating landslides in Wayanad on July 30, a large-scale search operation, including survivors and relatives of the victims, commenced on Friday. The operation saw enthusiastic participation from relief camps, and authorities mentioned it would resume on Sunday after a brief halt for security reasons due to Prime Minister Modi's visit.

A massive search operation began on Friday, involving survivors and the relatives of the victims, to locate those still missing after the devastating landslides that struck Wayanad district on July 30.

The state government reports that 131 people remain unaccounted for in the landslides that impacted Mundakkai and Chooralmala hamlets.

Originally planned to last all day, the search effort was shortened, concluding at 11 am, as the area needed to be cleared for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Saturday. Authorities engaged four members from each relief camp to aid rescue workers in locating specific sites.

Minister P A Mohammed Riyas announced that the search operation would continue on Sunday despite today's halt for security reasons.

''We need to end the search operation today due to security reasons. We'll resume on Sunday,'' Riyas stated.

The government has dispatched excavators and other necessary equipment, with hundreds of rescue workers joining the mission, which is divided into six zones across Mundakkai and Chooralmala.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that including victims' relatives in the search efforts was a ''last ditch effort'' to find missing persons as all other possible methods had been exhausted.

Officials have reported that the number of deaths from the landslides has risen to 226.