Kozhikode: The search for the missing truck driver,
Arjun, a native of Kozhikode, who is believed to be trapped under the debris, is still continuing at Ankola in Karnataka’s Uthara Kannada. But torrential rain that may lead to another landslide make it outstandingly difficult for the rescue workers at Ankola where a massive landslide happened on Tuesday. Arjun, is one among the other persons who are feared, trapped under the debris.
In response to the hard- pressed pressure from the office of Chief Minister of Kerala and from other concerning authorities,Uttar Kannada Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya said ,the authorities are apprehensive of his truck being washed off to Gangavali River and Navy’s assistance has been sought. “Considering the possibility that the truck may have been washed off into the river, we have sought the assistance of navy divers from Karwar naval base. We have cleared one side of the road. At present there is no visible debris on one end of the lane,” said Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate (DM) Lakshmi Priya.
“The next step is clearing the other end towards the river. We have to do this taking care of the extremely precarious situation. There is a chance of another landslide so we are taking it step by step. Around 40 workers are on the field and in addition, we have operators of excavators and other machines. We need to take care of their safety,” Lakshmi Priya added.
Of around ten people feared trapped under the debris ,seven bodies have been recovered so far. “The search is now underway for three persons and the Kerala driver is also included among the missing list. We have identified six bodies and one body which was recovered needs to be identified,” said DM.
There are complaints surfaced from his family and public,that the rescue efforts from the part of Uttara Kannada is not satisfactory and they only focused on clearing the roads for facilitating the vehicles to pass by.
