THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first phase of the disability census undertaken by the Social Justice Department has identified the physically challenged in 8,70,255 houses in the state out of 84,44,121 houses identified under the survey.
Malappuram and Kozhikode districts topped in the number of the disabled persons with 1,02,539 and 1,01,698 respectively whereas, Wayanad recorded the least with 33,337. In the next phase, junior health inspectors and junior public health nurses will visit the houses of those identified with disabilities. The census is expected to be completed by August 20. The public has been instructed to inform the nearest anganwadi in case their house was missed in the process.