Kerala

Capital | A special task force comprising the army and the commanders has been sent to investigate Chaliyar in Wayanad where the landslide occurred. A team of 26 members left from Kalpatta.

The search will be conducted in the area from Kanthanpara to Parapanpara. The team will be dropped on the spot by helicopter. IG says research in the river is a challenge. Sethuraman said.

NDRF, forest department, police and fire brigade will also participate in the search. Their search is from Munderi to Parappanpara.

Meanwhile, an expert team of the Disaster Management Authority has reached Wayanad. The team will investigate whether it is possible to live in the areas affected by the disaster. Areas that are being considered for rehabilitation will also be investigated. A report will be sent to the government within 10 days.

Capital | Cabinet sub-committee members PA Minister Muhammad Riaz, AK Saseendran informed at the press conference. Around 125 houses including government quarters have been identified for this purpose. Many of these are ready for immediate occupancy. As soon as the inspection is completed under the direction of the District Collector, accommodation will be provided. The rent of the houses is fixed. PA Minister Muhammad Riaz informed that the District Collector has been asked to intervene to provide essential household furniture and appliances.

The central team that visited the disaster-hit Wayanad area has asked for funds for immediate rehabilitation. 2000 crore was requested for reconstruction alone. Cleanup work must begin immediately. At least 90 days will be required for this. For now, the camps will continue. A relief amount should be paid urgently to the victims of the accident. The government has a strict stance on approaching financial institutions to repay loans to disaster victims. Issues including notification of relaxation in loan repayment have been brought to the attention of the core team.

So far 226 deaths have been confirmed. 403 body parts were found. 133 people are missing. A body and three organs were burnt to the ground on Friday. An additional 90 DNA samples were collected. Blood samples from 126 people were collected for testing. 78 people are receiving treatment in hospitals.

The public inquiry will continue on Sunday. The research will also include those who volunteer among those in the camp. No one is forced. Recommendations from local people’s representatives, social workers etc. are valuable in the research. The ministers also said that it has not been decided how many more days the investigation will take. District Collector DR Meghrashee was also present at the press conference.