Hopes of finding more survivors are fading as rescue operations continue in Kerala, where a landslide has killed 182 people, according to officials.
Around 200 people are still missing after areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad district were destroyed by mud and high water on Tuesday.
Rescue operations have been hampered by heavy rains in the region for a week.
The army built a temporary bridge to Mundakkai, across the raging river, to help the needy villagers and search for other survivors.
Health officials reported that 256 bodies were examined, but that included many body parts.
On Thursday, Wayanad remains on alert for more rains as schools and colleges are closed on that day.
The mountainous region is known for its cardamom plantations and tea estates and has several popular tourist spots.
Officials said about 1,600 people have been rescued from the affected villages and tea estates. But migrant workers from villages were among those still missing.
More than 8,000 people have been moved to 82 relief camps set up in the region, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The army is now constructing a temporary steel bridge to Mundakkai village, which is among the worst affected by the landslide.
Earlier, rescuers had built a temporary pedestrian bridge and used ropes to rappel the river to reach people trapped there and transport the injured to hospitals.
But the heavy rains and the strength of the river made it difficult to carry out the rescue operation in full.
The temporary steel bridge is expected to be completed by Thursday evening. It will allow ambulances and heavy equipment to clear debris and search for survivors, Major General Vinod Mathew told reporters.
Meanwhile, the air force is conducting procedures to identify areas with survivors and distribute relief supplies.
Three military dogs are expected to arrive at the disaster site to help find people still trapped under the rubble.
“Large areas still need to be checked and searched to find out whether people are there or not,” police chief MR Ajith Kumar told AFP news agency on Wednesday.
TV footage showed horrific scenes in aid camps and hospitals as survivors searched for their loved ones or awaited news.
Another man listed the names of those who had not been found as he said Manorama News“My family was safe but I lost many children who were like mine.”
In a community center with dead bodies displayed for identification, a young man he told NewsMinute that he identified two of his uncles, but he was still looking for seven other relatives.
“I am in contact with people from other centers where the bodies are kept and they send me pictures, but I have yet to identify my missing relative,” he told the news site.
With heavy rain forecast in the region, the government has warned residents to be prepared for floods.
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