One more body was recovered from the landslide site in Wayanad on Friday, bringing the total number of fatalities to seven, according to district officials. The identity of the recovered body has not yet been confirmed, but it was found near a river as search teams expanded their efforts.
Missing Persons and Identification
Two individuals were initially reported missing after the disaster: Rakesh Guchait, a surveyor from West Bengal, and Vikram Rana, a construction manager from Himachal Pradesh. Officials stated that it remains unclear whether the recovered body belongs to either of them. With this recovery, only one person is still unaccounted for.
Search Operations Intensify
On the fourth day since the landslide, multiple teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with fire force personnel and police officers, resumed search operations early in the morning. Heavy earthmovers have been deployed to clear mud and debris at the site, which is located near the under-construction Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi twin tunnel project.
As of Thursday, six bodies had been recovered from the landslide site. The disaster occurred on July 7 at the tunnel project, which is intended to connect Wayanad and Kozhikode districts in Kerala.
Impact and Ongoing Efforts
The landslide has caused significant disruption, with rescue teams working tirelessly to locate the remaining missing person. The use of heavy machinery aims to expedite the search through the thick mud that engulfed parts of the construction area. District officials continue to coordinate with state and central agencies to ensure a thorough search operation.
