’No one left alive in Mundakkai landslide hit area”, says Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Wayanad: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stated that no one from the Mundakkai landslide spot is left alive and that the army and the NDRF is trying to locate the bodies of those under the concrete and clay debris.

While speaking to the media in Wayanad he said that those staying in the relief camps will have to continue for few more days until their rehabilitation is completed.

The state government has decided to ask the central government to declare the Wayanad landslides, which claimed over 275 lives as a national disaster. On this, the state government will officially ask the central government to take necessary action under the Disaster Management Act to declare it as a national disaster.

“We have decided to ask the center to declare the landslide as a national disaster”, he said.

“We will ensure that the rehabilitation work will be completed in the best possible manner. Also, I request the media person not to enter the rescue camps, but instead there will be a reception area where one can go and talk to them”, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

‘Counselling to be given by agencies’

“We have found agencies who will be providing counselling to those who require. We need to understand their mental situation. This is something which is unbearable”, said Chief Minister.

Chief Minister added that once the construction of the Bailey bridge is over the rescue works will progress fast and all those stuck under the debris will be taken out”, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

While the death toll kept rising, Post mortem has been performed on 166 bodies so far. Of the dead, 100 have been identified, the district administration said.

The rescue operations continued on the third day with teams of the army, navy and coast guard carrying out a detailed search at three locations at Attamala, Mundakkai and Chooralmala.