The district administration in landslide-stricken Wayanad, Kerala, carried out a mass burial for unidentified victims on Sunday. The devastating landslides, which struck Chooralmala and Mundakkai on July 30, have claimed over 300 lives. The rescue operation has been ongoing for six days, involving 1,382 members from various forces and about 1,800 volunteers.
The concerted efforts to recover bodies have led authorities to intensify their search, even along the Chaliyar River spanning Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode. So far, 34 bodies remain unidentified, while 171 have been handed over to grieving families. Amid the tragedy, Kerala Minister K Rajan reported that 180 people are still missing.
Neethu Jojo, a staff member at a private hospital in Wayanad, was one of the first to alert emergency services about the disaster, but succumbed before rescue teams could arrive, as per PTI reports. One of the heart-wrenching tales is that of Mansoor, a 42-year-old resident of Chooralmala, who lost 16 family members, including his mother, wife, two children, and extended family.
In a united show of support, all MLAs of the United Democratic Front, led by the Indian National Congress, have pledged one month’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF). Moreover, prominent Telugu actors Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, and Allu Arjun have contributed generously to the CMDRF, with Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan donating ₹1 crore, and Allu Arjun contributing ₹25 lakh. Chiranjeevi expressed his sorrow for the victims in a social media post.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi announced that the central government will look into the demands from various sectors to classify the Wayanad landslide as a national disaster, acknowledging the immense impact and the need for substantial rehabilitation efforts.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/india/wayanad-landslides-180-people-still-missing-mass-burial-for-unidentified-victims-11722792110047.html
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