Wayanad , 08 July (H.S.): Search and rescue operations will continue on Wednesday at the landslide-hit Kalladi area in Kerala's Wayanad district, where emergency teams are still looking for five people who remain missing. The operation, which continued late into Tuesday night, has entered a critical phase as authorities intensify efforts to locate those trapped beneath the debris.
Specially trained cadaver dogs have been deployed to assist rescue personnel in the search. Officials said seven injured people are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals, with the condition of two victims reported to be critical.
Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan is scheduled to visit the disaster site later today to assess the rescue operations firsthand and review the relief measures being carried out by various agencies.
The bodies of three victims recovered on Tuesday have been shifted to Kozhikode Medical College after post-mortem examinations. The deceased have been identified as Chandrabhan from Madhya Pradesh, Vikas Kumar from Bihar, and Anmol from Jharkhand. Rescue teams are continuing their search for the five missing persons, identified as Vikram, Rahul, Mohammed Imran, Rakesh, and Asaruddin Ansari.
Authorities have prohibited public entry into the landslide zone to ensure the safety of rescue workers and facilitate uninterrupted operations. State Minister T. Siddique said a comprehensive scientific search will be carried out by dividing the affected area into four operational zones. Spot-location cameras equipped to detect underground movement have also been installed at the site, enabling teams to identify any signs of activity beneath the soil more accurately.
The minister added that work to restore road connectivity to the affected region will begin as soon as conditions permit. Ministers A. P. Anil Kumar and T. Siddique continue to remain at the disaster site, overseeing rescue efforts and coordinating relief operations with emergency response teams.
Authorities have urged the public to stay away from the restricted area while rescue operations continue, expressing hope that the missing individuals can be located as quickly as possible.
