A many as 215 bodies have been recovered so far from the affected areas in Wayanad after massive landslides hit north Kerala district on July 30, the district administration said on Saturday (August 3).

The 215 deceased include 87 women and 30 children, according to the administration's statement, news agency PTI reported.

Of the 215 bodies, 148 have been identified by their relatives, the statement added.

Search efforts in Wayanad’s Mundakkai and Chooralmala began early on Saturday, with over 1,300 rescuers, heavy machinery, and advanced equipment deployed to locate survivors of the landslides that have claimed over 300 lives, The Indian Express reported.

The operation, led by the army, police, and emergency services, has also seen the involvement of private search and rescue firms and volunteers.

According to the newspaper, on Friday, forty teams conducted search operations across six zones in the landslide-affected areas: Attamala and Aaranmala (first zone), Mundakkai (second), Punchirimattam (third), Vellarimala village (fourth), GVHSS Vellarimala (fifth), and the riverbank (sixth). The teams comprised personnel from the army, NDRF, DSG, Coast Guard, Navy, and MEG, along with three local volunteers and one forest department employee.

According to the district administration, approximately 218 people are missing. However, Kerala ADGP M R Ajith Kumar stated on Friday that around 300 people are still unaccounted for.