Wayanad landslide tragedy: Recovery efforts and identification challenges continue

More than four days have passed since a devastating flow of debris from multiple landslides struck the Mundakkai and Chooralmala villages in Meppadi, Wayanad district, Kerala, leaving the villages in ruin and claiming the lives of hundreds.

According to official figures, more than 360 individuals have been confirmed dead so far, about 206 are reported missing, and 143 body parts have been recovered. Postmortem examinations have been completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts.

Special teams have been deployed to collect and analyse DNA samples from these remains to identify the victims and match them with their relatives. The process of identifying the deceased through genetic testing is laborious but crucial for accurate identification and the disbursement of monetary compensation.

Postmortem examinations are primarily conducted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Meppadi and the District Hospital in Nilambur, a nearby district. In Nilambur, several bodies and body parts have been discovered. So far, 119 bodies have been returned to relatives in Wayanad, along with an additional 29 bodies received from the Nilambur District Hospital. Furthermore, 62 bodies and 87 body parts have been handed over to the Wayanad district administration.

The severe disfigurement of many bodies and body parts complicates identification efforts. Officials evaluate each body part to determine if it belongs to one or multiple individuals, avoiding incorrect death counts. Identification through DNA analysis is essential to prevent wrongful claims and ensure rightful compensation for the victims' families.

The complexity of this task has been highlighted by recent incidents where four families from different religious backgrounds claimed the body of a young girl found in the Chaliyar River. Each family had lost a child and claimed the body as their own, causing confusion and tension. The situation was defused following intervention by local leaders and the Chief Minister, who recommended expedited DNA analysis.

Internationally, the process of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) is known for its complexity and adherence to rigorous standards. The DVI process includes four phases: scene examination, collection of post-mortem data, collection of ante-mortem data from relatives, and comparison of both sets of data to ensure a 100% match. This systematic approach was first documented in an Interpol guide published in 1984 and has since been revised.