Shirur Landslide: Search operations in Gangavali River temporarily halted after 13 days

Team Udayavani, Jul 28, 2024, 7:20 PM IST

Karwar: The search operation related to the landslide incident near Shirur on the national highway in Ankola taluk, Uttara Kannada district, has been temporarily halted after 13 days without success.

Despite continuous efforts by diving experts from the morning on Sunday, no trace of the three missing persons has been found. A decision was made to temporarily stop the operation after a meeting was held to discuss the situation.

Discussions regarding the future course of the operation were held with the District Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Navy, and Army officials. Local and Kerala MLAs and other authorities deliberated on whether to continue or cease the search efforts. The decision to halt the search temporarily was made as there was no progress even after 13 days.

The diving team led by Eshwar Malpe arrived at the site on Saturday. They obtained comprehensive information and drone operation reports from Navy and Army officials, the District Commissioner, and the District Police Superintendent. The team, with the help of local fishermen, conducted the operation but found only large amounts of rocks and soil, leading to the unavoidable decision to halt the search.

Decision After Consultation with Ministers: DC

Uttara Kannada District Commissioner Lakshmipriya stated that the diving experts had identified and searched 3-4 key points. However, they found only rocks, soil, and trees. The strong water current forced the divers to return without significant progress. The next steps will be decided after consulting with the district in-charge minister, she said.

Muddy Water Hindered Operations:

Diving expert Eshwar Malpe mentioned that their previous operations had been successful, but the strong current and muddy water of the Gangavali River posed significant challenges. During a scuba dive, they initially thought they had found a Benz truck but later discovered it was a part of a large tree. He emphasized that clearer water conditions are essential for any future operations.