KOZHIKODE: The ongoing efforts to rescue Kozhikode native truck driver Arjun, 30, who is believed to be trapped in the landslide at Ankola in Karnataka, hit a hurdle and turned more complicated with the authorities, after reportedly removing 98% of the rubble, arriving at a conclusion that the truck is unlikely to be on the land portion along the NH-66 where the landslide occurred.
This has left the authorities with the remaining option of shifting the search efforts to the Gangavalli river, into which enormous quantity of mud and rubble and even a gas tanker truck had washed into following the landslide on July 16. Karnataka revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who had visited the spot along with chief minister Siddaramaiah, said that they are awaiting instruction from the Army and Navy teams who are at the site on the next course of action.
The family of Arjun who was dissatisfied by the pace of the search operations had put much hope on Army personnel from Belagavi joining the search operations on Sunday. Though the 40- member Army team arrived by Sunday afternoon, they could not do much as the mud removal using earthmovers failed to unearth the truck.
“It appears that there is no truck above the road subject to the completion of the remaining mud removal in another two-three hours. We are now looking at the water side also. We have requested the Navy, NDRF and SDRF to look in the river. There are enormous piles of mud in the river. There is a small mountain under there and only the top is visible above the water. We have requested the Navy to advise on that course,” the minister said, adding that govt will go by the advice of the competent authorities.
The military teams are planning to bring in deep-search metal detector from Pune and Chennai, which would help conducting the search in the river. Meanwhile, the revenue minister refuted allegations of any lapses.
“Whoever is affected from any part of India, it is our people. From the day the incident happened, our minister, MLA, district authorities, etc. are on the job. Our govt is doing everything possible in the matter and we will continue to do so. You should keep in mind that two local people are also still missing. There is no respite, and we are putting in all our efforts,” Gowda said.
He, however, added that carrying out a similar search operation in water side will be difficult. “But we have requested the help and advice of experts on the matter. Let us see what the advice is and we will follow it,” he said.
Kozhikode MP M K Raghavan, who visited the spot, said that the search operations will continue and added that the Karnataka CM has given directions to continue the search operations, including in the river, till Arjun and other missing persons are found.
The search operations which began in the morning had focused on the pile of mud where examination by the ground penetrating radar had found signs of some objects.
This has left the authorities with the remaining option of shifting the search efforts to the Gangavalli river, into which enormous quantity of mud and rubble and even a gas tanker truck had washed into following the landslide on July 16. Karnataka revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who had visited the spot along with chief minister Siddaramaiah, said that they are awaiting instruction from the Army and Navy teams who are at the site on the next course of action.
The family of Arjun who was dissatisfied by the pace of the search operations had put much hope on Army personnel from Belagavi joining the search operations on Sunday. Though the 40- member Army team arrived by Sunday afternoon, they could not do much as the mud removal using earthmovers failed to unearth the truck.
“It appears that there is no truck above the road subject to the completion of the remaining mud removal in another two-three hours. We are now looking at the water side also. We have requested the Navy, NDRF and SDRF to look in the river. There are enormous piles of mud in the river. There is a small mountain under there and only the top is visible above the water. We have requested the Navy to advise on that course,” the minister said, adding that govt will go by the advice of the competent authorities.
The military teams are planning to bring in deep-search metal detector from Pune and Chennai, which would help conducting the search in the river. Meanwhile, the revenue minister refuted allegations of any lapses.
“Whoever is affected from any part of India, it is our people. From the day the incident happened, our minister, MLA, district authorities, etc. are on the job. Our govt is doing everything possible in the matter and we will continue to do so. You should keep in mind that two local people are also still missing. There is no respite, and we are putting in all our efforts,” Gowda said.
He, however, added that carrying out a similar search operation in water side will be difficult. “But we have requested the help and advice of experts on the matter. Let us see what the advice is and we will follow it,” he said.
Kozhikode MP M K Raghavan, who visited the spot, said that the search operations will continue and added that the Karnataka CM has given directions to continue the search operations, including in the river, till Arjun and other missing persons are found.
The search operations which began in the morning had focused on the pile of mud where examination by the ground penetrating radar had found signs of some objects.
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