THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After suspending 24-hour rescue operations late Tuesday night due to inclement weather and low visibility, multiple agencies including state-level rescue teams, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and several columns from Defence Security Corps centre, Kannur and 122 TA Battalion began combing and rescue operations today morning and as per several reports quoting officials they have so far rescued more than 1000 individuals and recovered over 100 dead bodies. 

While the Indian Air Force has mobilised helicopters to take affected people to safer locations, a fresh Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column from the army's Gorkha regiment from Bangalore's Chamarajanagar has left for Wayanad, is expected to reach shortly.  

Among the most affected areas is Mundakkai Punchirivatta which is said to be the epicentre of the landslide, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha where roads have collapsed and a bridge has been swept, making several areas have become unreachable. The worst fear is that hundreds may be still buried inside the landslides at several places that are yet to be reached due to adverse conditions.

Early morning today Dr Thomas Isaac who is part of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) party posted on X saying 151 dead bodies were recovered and 211 reported missing while thousands hurt or displaced. 

According to a report in onmanorama.com, over 163 people have died in the multiple landslides that wrecked Mundakkai and Chooralmala and bodies of 88 victims have been identified so far. Postmortem procedures of 143 dead bodies were also completed, of which 32 bodies were handed over to their relatives on Tuesday. The onmanorama.com, report further says that at present, 78 dead bodies are kept in Meppadi Social Health Center and 32 dead bodies are kept in Nilambur District Hospital. Many were feared trapped under the debris and at Nilambur, 25 unidentified body parts have also been washed up through Chaliyar.

In a post on X the Kerala Government said that, "In a ministerial meeting held at the Wayanad Collectorate, it was decided to establish a medical point, including an oxygen ambulance, at the control room in Churalmala. This facility will provide emergency medical assistance to those affected by the landslide."