Wayanad, Aug 1 (UNI) The official death count in the Wayanad landslide tragedy in Kerala went up to 170 on Thursday, wih more than 200 people still missing
Unconfirmed reports, however, claimed the toll was 289, with 213 people still hospitalised and 240 missing,
The deceased include 29 children.
The casualties and injuries have been reported from three wards at Chooralmala, Attamala, and Mundakkai in Meppadi panchayath. Rescue workers recovered six bodies and parts of some more bodies from the debris on Thursday.
As many as 9328 affected people, including 19 pregnant women, are now housed at 91 relief camps set up in Meppadi and nearby areas in Wayanad district.
Around 348 buildings, including houses, schools, and shops, were fully damaged in the devastated village.
Rescue and search work with sniffer dogs were called off for the day around 6 pm, and it will resume on Friday morning. sources said.
The crucial Bailey Bridge for rescue work was launched in the evening to move the earthmovers, ambulances, and other vehicles for search operations at the accident site at Mundakkai and Chooramala in Vellarimala village. However, the military personnel who were leading rescue operations confirmed that all those alive have been shifted from the calamity site.
A military team rescued around 1500 people from the landslide-affected sites in three wards.
The 190-foot Bailey Bridge was constructed by Maj. Seeta Shelka-led Army personnel from Madras Engineering Regiment on a war footing in only 16 hours. The bridge has the capacity to carry 24 tonnes.
Major General Vinod Mathew said the Bailey Bridge will be dedicated to the Wayanad people until construction of the new concrete bridge connecting to Chooralmala and Mundakkai was complete. The Bailey Bridge was airlifted from Delhi, and the structures were unloaded at Kannur International Airport,. while rail structures were brought on 18 military trucks from Bangalore to Wayanad by road. UNI AK AKS