Wayanad landslide: Rescue operations speed up with Bailey Bridge

The rescue teams deployed hi-end gadgets and pressed sniffer dogs into service as they stepped up efforts to look for survivors beneath the mud and debris in the worst rain calamity in Kerala's Wayanad region on the fifth day on Saturday.

The death toll mounted to an estimated 340, but the officials fear the numbers might go up as about 250 people are still missing. The authorities have identified 146 bodies, so far. The construction of the 190-foot-long Bailey Bridge between Mundakkai and Chooralmala helped movement of heavy machinery and ambulances, accelerating the rescue efforts.



The authorities have been using drones and radars sparing no effort in detecting any possible signs of life.

Offers of help to build houses for the displaced have been pouring in giving a shot of confidence to the authorities. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government will speed up plans to rehabilitate thousands of displaced people by implementing a township project.

The government will identify a safe place for the project.


About 10,042 people have been sheltered in 93 relief camps in Wayanad district.

The neighbouring Karnataka has offered to build 100 houses, winning the praise of AICC leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. The Congress party said it will build 100 houses. Kozhikode Business Club and NSS have also come forward to build 50 and 150 houses, respectively.

The state government announced an immediate aid of ₹4 crore for the people affected by the disaster. The Wayanad district administration will use the money for relief efforts.