On Tuesday, DNA testing was completed on 401 bodies and body parts recovered from the landslide-hit areas in Wayanad on July 30. The search operation, conducted by the Army, Special Operations Group, Fire and Rescue Services, Forest Department, and several volunteers, found 349 body parts identified as belonging to 248 individuals, including 121 men and 127 women. According to Revenue Minister K Rajan, 52 of these body parts require additional tests due to decomposition.
Rajan stated that blood samples from 115 individuals have been collected to date. He also mentioned that blood samples from the relatives of three residents from Bihar are now available. Additionally, for temporary resettlement, the Harrison Malayalam labor unions have been requested to submit a report on the safety and management of 53 houses that are ready for occupancy, as well as other houses that can be made available, according to the minister during a press conference.
Trade union and management representatives have been directed to carry out an inspection and submit a report detailing which workers will be included. In addition to facilitating temporary resettlement, a fully equipped settlement is planned for the local self-government areas of Meppadi, Mupainad, Vaithiri, Kalpatta, Muttil, and Ambalavyal.
On Wednesday, an investigation will be carried out for rental houses under the leadership of all parties involved. A five-member committee, including panchayat members, revenue officers, and social workers, will assess and report on the available houses within the local self-government areas, the minister added.
Meanwhile, the cabinet sub-committee reported that 1,368 certificates have been issued to disaster victims through a special campaign established at the camps.
During the press conference at the Collectorate mini conference hall, the cabinet sub-committee members K. Rajan, AK Saseendran, OR Kelu, and District Collector DR Meghasree were in attendance.
Regarding the situation in Wayanad, Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran stated, “Three more body parts were found from the Nilambur area. As of now, 231 bodies and around 206 body parts have been recovered. At present, there are a total of 1505 people staying in 12 camps and 415 samples were sent for DNA testing…”
The body parts brought to the hospital will undergo examination. On Tuesday, the search continued in the Nilambur-Wayanad areas, involving NDRF, Fire Force, Civil Defence, Police, Forest Department forces, and volunteers.
On Tuesday, 260 volunteers collaborated in the Mundakai-Churalmala disaster areas for a search operation. The inspection concentrated on the riverbanks below the Churalmala bridge in the forest. A thorough search also continued in Chaliyar, located in the Malappuram district.