The death toll from the catastrophic landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, has climbed to 413, with 152 people still unaccounted for as rescue efforts extend into their ninth day. Over 1,000 rescue personnel from the Defence forces, NDRF, SDRF, police, fire services, and volunteers commenced searches early Wednesday morning in the hardest-hit areas of Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Punchirimadom.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stated that search operations will continue until the Defence forces decide otherwise. These operations are now concentrated in regions where residents were stranded immediately following the worst natural disaster in Kerala's history, which occurred on July 30.
In the aftermath of the tragedy that struck the four villages in Wayanad district, CM Vijayan revealed on Tuesday that 76 bodies and numerous body parts were recovered in and around Nilambur in Malappuram district from the Chaliyar River, which originates in Wayanad.
Rescue teams were also searching the Chaliyar River on Wednesday. Over 100 relief camps, primarily set up in various educational institutions, are currently housing more than 10,300 people.
Initially, there was no blame game as efforts were focused on rescue, relief, and rehabilitation. However, a war of words has now emerged, targeting CM Vijayan. Union Minister for Environment Bhupender Yadav called it a man-made disaster, and the Congress-led opposition has demanded proper utilization of funds pouring into the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, unlike in 2018.
A.K. Antony, the country's longest-serving Defence Minister and a Congress veteran, urged focusing on rehabilitation efforts instead of engaging in political disputes in the disaster's aftermath.
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