Wayanad, July 8 (IANS) Rescue operations at the landslide site in Kalladi, Wayanad, will continue on Wednesday, with Kerala Ministers T. Siddique and A.P. Anil Kumar announcing that a comprehensive search will be carried out to trace the five persons still missing.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who is in the state capital, will reach the disaster site at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

He will leave for Wayanad immediately after briefing the media following the weekly Cabinet meeting.

After visiting the affected area, Minister T. Siddique told reporters late on Tuesday night that only three people have been confirmed dead in the landslide, while five others remain missing.

The deceased have been identified as Chandrabhan from Madhya Pradesh, Vikas Kumar from Bihar and Anmol from Jharkhand.

Those missing are Vikram, Rahul, Mohammed Imran, Rakesh and Asraruddin Ansari.

Describing the incident as an extremely painful tragedy, Minister Anil Kumar said the government had completed all possible monsoon preparedness measures well before the rainy season.

Rescue teams had reached the spot without delay, and operations would continue through the night as long as weather conditions remained favourable.

Minister Siddique said work to restore road connectivity to the affected area would begin immediately.

A scientific assessment of the landslide site will be conducted by dividing the area into four zones.

Cadaver dogs will be deployed to assist the search, while volunteers will also be involved in the rescue efforts.

He added that the deceased’s bodies will be sent to their native states.

Rahul is among those still missing, and his wife is currently at the site awaiting news.

The victims are natives of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Two injured persons are undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with the condition of Dileep reported to be critical.

Entry to the landslide site will remain restricted on Wednesday to facilitate an intensive scientific search and ensure the safety of rescue personnel, the minister said.

Meanwhile, former Wayanad Lok Sabha MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed grief over the tragedy in a message posted on his social media account.

“The news of the landslide in Wayanad is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected,” he wrote.

He said relief and rescue operations were underway and that every possible effort was being made to reach those still trapped.

Gandhi also appealed to Congress and UDF workers to extend all possible assistance to those affected.

“Wayanad has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity before, and together, we will stand by every affected family through this tragedy,” he said.

–IANS

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