Health authorities in Kerala have completed DNA tests on 401 bodies and body parts recovered from the landslide-hit areas in Wayanad to identify the remains, officials said.
The exhaustive search operation, involving the Army, Special Operations Group, Fire and Rescue Services, Forest Department, and hundreds of volunteers, recovered 349 body parts belonging to 248 individuals, including 121 men and 127 women.
According to State Revenue Minister K Rajan, 52 of these bodies or body parts were too decomposed for immediate identification and require further testing, as many people are still awaiting information about their families.
Meanwhile, the search in the Nilambur area and Chaliyar River continued on Tuesday, with three more body parts discovered.
Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran said, “As of now, 231 bodies and around 206 body parts have been recovered. At present, there are a total of 1,505 people staying in 12 camps, and 415 samples have been sent for DNA testing”.
Currently, blood samples from 115 individuals have been collected, including those of relatives of three Bihar natives. State authorities have intensified efforts to shift survivors from relief camps to temporary settlements. The process to identify vacant houses and residential facilities in Wayanad is underway.
The Harrison Malayalam labour unions have been asked to assess the safety and management of 53 ready-to-occupy houses and report on additional housing options. A fully equipped temporary settlement is planned for Meppadi, Mupainad, Vaithiri, Kalpatta, Muttil, and Ambalavyal, news agency ANI reported.
A five-member committee consisting of panchayat members, revenue officers, and social workers inspected rental housing options within local self-government limits on Wednesday. Additionally, the cabinet sub-committee has issued 1,368 certificates through a special campaign for disaster victims.
Three devastating back-to-back landslides hit Chooralmala and Mundakai areas in Wayanad in the early hours of July 30, destroying houses and buildings over a vast area and burying residents under mud. Over 400 people have been confirmed dead so far, and around 100 are still missing.
