Wayanad (Kerala), Aug 1 : Rescue and relief operations continued on a war footing at the landslide-devastated areas of four villages in Kerala's Wayanad on Wednesday, with 94 more bodies recovered, taking the death toll to 245, in one of the worst disasters to hit the state, with 240 other people still missing, even as a war of words broke out between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over prior warning of the disaster.

A massive rescue operation involving 1,200 officials from various defence, police, and fire service personnel, besides local volunteers, is currently on at the four worst-affected landslide areas of Wayanad -- Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu, which caught thousands of people unawares when two landslides took place early on Tuesday.

In some areas, there were practically no signs of any houses and a wave of sorrow swept the survivors.

The APJ Community Hall at Meppadi was one place where only the cries and wails of young and old are heard as it is here that numerous bodies have been kept for people to come and identify.

Prashob, a young man spotted in the hall, was shattered. "I have now identified two of my uncles among the bodies that have been placed here. But I have no clue about seven of my other close relatives. I am in touch with people at other centres where bodies are placed and they are sending me pictures, but I am yet to identify any of my other missing relatives," he said.

Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George who was on her way to the landslide-affected areas in Wayanad met with an accident and is presently being treated at the state-run Manjeri Medical College hospital. Her car hit a two-wheeler and then came to a stop after hitting an electric post and George suffered minor injuries on her head and hand.

On the other hand, a war of words began after Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha that the Centre had alerted the Kerala government on July 23, warning of possible danger in and around Wayanad. "Everyone is questioning the government, but I would like to ask what did the Kerala government do. It was a vulnerable situation, but why the people were not shifted to safer places? They were only shifted after the disaster," he said.

CM Vijayan refuted the claim but sought to play down the issue, saying it was no time for a blame game.

Speaking to the media here, Vijayan stressed that the need of the hour is not to engage in a blame game, while terming parts of what the Union Home Minister said as true and parts as untrue.