Wayanad landslide disaster toll reaches 297, with 206 missing

Wayanad (TIP)- The death toll in the Wayanad landslide disaster on Friday, Aug rust 2, eached 297, said officials, adding that 206 people continue to be missing.
The rescue operations continued on the fourth day of the state’s worst-ever natural calamity.
More than one thousand-member rescue team drawn from various forces besides locals divided into nine groups are working tirelessly to help people and search for the missing ones. The worst-affected landslide areas are Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Punchirimadom. With a 190-foot Bailey Bridge now erected, the connectivity between Churalmalai and Mundakayil has been restored.
Sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service. The rescue team is also equipped with heavy earth-moving equipment.
An officer heading the operations said there were some houses buried in one of the affected places where they were headed.
“Around 10 houses were there at the place we are reaching soon. According to what we are being told there might be some people, maybe alive,” said the official.
Currently, there are now 91 relief camps where 9,328 people have been evacuated safely.
National disaster, says Rahul Gandhi
Former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi has termed landslides in the Kerala district a “national disaster” and sought a comprehensive action plan.
The deceased included 27 children and 76 women, and 107 bodies have been identified. “In all, 234 persons were admitted to hospitals,” said an official. Rahul and his sister Priyanka Vadra reached Wayanad today. Union Minister George Kurien continued to oversee rehabilitation efforts, having landed two days ago. Meanwhile, the Kerala Government today passed an order restraining scientists from sharing opinions or study reports with the media on Wayanad.