THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala govt has decided to consider the people reported missing after the devastating rain-triggered landslides in Wayanad in 2024 as deceased.
Official estimates indicate 263 people were killed, and 35 were reported missing in the disaster that struck the villages of Punchirimattam, Chooralmala, and Mundakkai on July 30 last year.
The decision, made five months after the tragedy, aims to provide financial assistance to the families of the missing.
Govt will undertake a detailed procedure to issue death certificates to relatives of deceased. The process begins with filing a missing person report at the local police station, accompanied by essential documents such as a ration card and passbook.
An investigation will be carried out by the tahsildar or sub-divisional magistrate, and the findings will be published in govt gazette and on the official website in Malayalam and English.
A 30-day period will be given for objections before issuing the death certificates, ensuring the families receive closure and financial support.
