Shirur landslide : Boom detector at work after sonar signals indicating metal presence detected

Shirur : As the search for truck driver Arjun and two other who are believed to be trapped under the landslide debris with search operations continuing for the 9th day, a long boom excavator was brought to the site today morning to help in the search operation in Gangavali river, where a sonar signal indicating the presence of metal parts has been detected.

The excavator will help remove mud from a depth of 60 metres. A signal was received in the same area during a radar check and a state-of-the-art radio frequency scanner will also be deployed to locate Arjun and two others who are missing.

The Navy and disaster management forces are using advanced technology, including sonar and radar, in the search operation. Four teams of experts from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Surathkal, Dakshina Kannada district, have also arrived to assist in the search. The investigation had initially used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), a geophysical method that uses radio waves to capture images below the Earth’s surface.

The Karnataka High Court had issued notices to the central and state governments, stating that the rescue mission to find Arjun was a serious matter. Both governments are required to respond on Wednesday. Following this, the state government submitted details of the rescue mission to the High court.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka police team has asked the rescue team members arrived from Kerala to vacate the premises. As per report, it was a relative of Arjun who was allowed to enter the landslide site where the search operations is underway. The boom excavator can search up to 60 meters beneath the ground. A state-of-the-art earth scanning machine is expected to reach from New Delhi by today evening. As per experts, the scanner will be able to locate images under the river and send details to the control room.

Family unhappy over delay in search operations

Back home in Kozhikode, the family of Arjun is waiting with bated breath for their son’s return. Friends and neighbours of Arjun in Kozhikode has expressed their displeasure over the pace at which the search operation is progressing.

“We are unhappy with the manner in which the search operation began. The officials are showing an indifferent attitude towards the rescuers who had offered support. Some of them including the truck owner Manaf who had been there at the spot was forcefully removed from the spot. In such a situation, we expected the officials to behave in a more respectful and human manner”, said Ashwin, a neighbour of Arjun.

Sheela, the mother of Arjun, the truck driver who has been missing following a devastating landslip at Shirur in Karnataka on July 16th has voiced her frustration and dissatisfaction with the ongoing rescue operations. “The Army was hoping to find my son, but they could do nothing. It has been a week, and we do not even know if he is alive,” Sheele told the media.

However, the rescue team officials have indicated that they have received signals from the river bed pointing that they will be able to track Arjun and the two others very soon.

Despite challenges, a 40-member team from Kozhikode’s Mukkam region has started their journey to join the rescue operations. Representing various disaster management teams, including Ente Mukkam, Karma Omassery, and Pulparamba Raksha Sena, the team is determined to assist in rescue operations. Two MLAs from the area has also reached the landslide spot where the search operation is underway.