Wayanad: death toll 333; 288 more to be found
text_fieldsWayanad: In the deadly landslides of Kerala, the death toll has reached a grave count of 333, while officials inform that the count is expected to higher since 288 people are still missing.
However, there were reports on Friday that the army’s thermal scanner had detected the presence of life under the debris in Mundakkai, one of the two spots where deadly landslips occurred. Army officials informed us that a thermal scanner detected a breathing signal beneath debris.
It is learned from a fresh update that the army received two strong signals of life from here, but they are not confirmed as humans. However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office has given orders to continue the search following the signal, even after dark.
They said that they use the scanner to identify the position of the terrorists who hide in buildings through their respiration. They have found a similar breathing signal from Mundakkai, though no human or animal has been found on the spot so far. They said that they would continue the search.
The breathing signals were received from a depth of three meters. The mission team has come to the conclusion that it could be humans or creatures, and the search is done with utmost care in difficult situations. The kitchen area of the house is currently being inspected. Three people in the house are missing. There were experts’ opinions that the signal was unlikely to be from the human body, but CM’s office had given orders to continue.
The army took full control of the area, and floodlights were installed to continue the probe in the dark.
Earlier, soil and stones were removed from the area where the signal was received, but nothing was found. The signal was received twice under the ground during a test conducted using the state-of-the-art thermal image radar (Human Rescue Radar).
Search operations went live on Friday morning after an early wrap on Thursday due to unsupportive circumstances.