The search and rescue operations following the devastating landslide in Shirur village have led to the recovery of a woman’s body from the Gangavalli river, increasing the death toll to eight. The deceased, a 65-year-old woman, was identified as one of the missing individuals after the landslide on July 16.
Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, and the Navy, have been working tirelessly at the disaster site and along the Gabgavalli river. Superintendent of Police (Karwar) Narayana M confirmed the recovery of the decomposed body, adding that search operations are ongoing for three more people, including Arjun, a lorry driver from Kerala.
The Indian Army’s Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Team, consisting of an officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers, and 55 personnel from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment in Belagavi, along with one Junior Commissioned Officer and two others from the College of Military Engineering in Pune, are also actively involved in the operation. They are equipped with specialized tools, including ground penetration radars, deep search metal detectors, rafts with overboard motors, and climbing gear to aid in the rescue efforts.
Satellite images from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from the day of the landslide indicate the possibility of a truck being pushed into the river. The Army team is utilizing the Ferrex Locator – GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) to locate submerged and buried objects.
In response to the landslide, vehicular traffic has been suspended on National Highway 66 to ensure safety and facilitate ongoing rescue operations. The situation remains critical as authorities continue their efforts to recover the remaining missing individuals and manage the aftermath of the disaster.
Sources By Agencies
