Wayanad landslide: 4 found alive amid toll mounting to 326 | Top updates

The death toll in massive landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district crossed the 300 mark on Friday (Aug 2). Whilerescue workers on Friday found a family of four isolated in an area near Padavetti Kunnu, news agency PTI reported.

A massive search and rescue operation is ongoing in the Mundakkai region of Wayanad, which was struck by a devastating landslide on Tuesday.

Braving the adverse weather conditions, 40 teams of rescuers began search operations in Wayanad, officials said.

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Rescue operations, which entered the fourth day, will be further widened and also include a drone-based radar to find the survivors.

Here are the top updates:

1. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced on Friday that his party would build more than100 houses in Wayanad.

2. 40 teams will conduct search operations in six zones of the landslides-hit areas -- Attamala and Aaranmala (first), Mundakkai (second), Punchirimattam (third), Vellarimala village (fourth), GVHSS Vellarimala (fifth), and riverbank (sixth).

3. The joint teams will include personnel from the army, NDRF, DSG, Coast Guard, Navy, and MEG along with three locals and one forest department employee.

4. Around 9,328 people have been relocated to 91 relief camps in the district.

5. The Coast Guard, Navy, and Forest Department will jointly conduct a search operation focusing on the riverbanks and areas where bodies may be trapped, according to the rescue plan.

6. Currently, six dogs are assisting in the search operation and four more will arrive in Wayanad from Tamil Nadu.

7. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has directed officials to withdraw 'gag order' on scientists

8. Kerala government issued a ‘gag order’ to the “scientific community” instructing them not to share their opinions or study reports with the media on the Wayanad landslide mishap.

9. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the site of the landslide.

10.Earlier in the day, Kerala ADGP MR Ajith Kumar said 300 people were still missing.

(With inputs from agencies)