KOCHI: The serene hills of Wayanad have been marred by a devastating landslide that struck on July 30, 2024. The disaster has claimed well over 308 lives, with 180 people still reported missing. Revenue Minister K Rajan, who has been overseeing the rescue and relief operations, said that at least 180 people have yet to be traced from the landslide hit Mundakkai and Chooralmala and emphasized the importance of continuing the search efforts.

The district administration has undertaken the heart-wrenching task of conducting a mass burial ceremony for the unidentified victims at Puthumala near Meppadi, a site that has witnessed similar tragedies in 2019. For the burial, accompanied by chanting of prayers by religious leaders of all faiths, nearly 200 graves had been dug in a 64-cent burial ground spread across an estate.

The burial ground, spanning 64 cents, was prepared to accommodate the remains of 31 unidentified bodies and 158 body parts. The ceremony began with an all-faith prayer, reflecting the community's unity in the face of tragedy. Each body and body part was interred with due respect, following Christian, Hindu, and Islamic rites. According to officials, 34 unidentified bodies and 171 dead bodies have been released to relatives.

The community has rallied together, with volunteers assisting in the burial process and providing support to the affected families. Donations have poured in from various quarters, including contributions to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. Relief efforts include 53 camps across Wayanad, accommodating 6,759 people, including 1,983 families, 2,501 males, 2,677 females, 1,581 children, and 20 pregnant women. The government has established 16 additional camps in Meppadi and other gram panchayats, with 2,514 people sheltered in these locations, including 723 families, 943 males, 972 females, 599 children, and six pregnant women.

Rescue camps are operational at various locations, including SDMLP School, D-Paul Public School, RCLP School, GHS School, and WMO College. The landslides that hit Chooralmala and Mundakkai on July 30 caused widespread devastation and significant loss of life and property.

Meanwhile, all-out rescue operations have been ongoing for the past week, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the army, navy, and local volunteers working tirelessly to recover bodies and search for the missing. Search operations also continued along the Chaliyar River, which flows through Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode.

Minister K Rajan said, "We will not rest until every missing person is accounted for." He also highlighted the logistical challenges involved in transporting the remains to the burial site and ensuring that each grave is properly marked for future identification.