Sniffer dogs, thermal radar add to search, rescue efforts

● WAYANAD LANDSLIDES TOLL CROSSES 300; OVER 200 STILL UNTRACEABLE ● STRANDED FAMILY OF 4 RESCUED

- MANOJ VISWANATHAN

WITH the Bailey bridge improving connectivity, the search teams on Friday managed to reach the remote areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala of landslide-hit Wayanad with necessary equipment. Looking for survivors, they dug up mounds of debris.

Meanwhile, the Army and a search team comprising volunteers rescued a four-member family stranded at their house at Padavettikunnu, on the upper region of Mundakkai on Friday. The rescue team was checking the houses in Padavettikunnu for survivors when they found the family in the house.

In the evening, hope briefly flickered as thermal scanners detected signs of life under the debris near a culvert. The search operations continued even after nightfall, but no human presence could be detected.