In a determined effort to locate the missing Kerala lorry driver, Arjun, and two others who disappeared after a landslide in Shirur village, Uttara Kannada district, Indian Navy divers from the Karwar naval base began diving operations in the Gangavali River, Karnataka, on Wednesday. The search comes nearly a month after the tragic incident that occurred on July 16, when Arjun’s lorry, laden with timber, was swept into the river.
The operation was initiated following a request from the Karwar district administration and is being conducted in collaboration with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies. The resumption of full-scale search efforts marks a significant development after a hiatus of over two weeks.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the naval divers have recovered parts of the truck during the ongoing search. However, the search is being hampered by significant debris, heavy boulders, and uprooted trees, which have accumulated over the suspected locations of the missing individuals. The statement noted that dredging might be necessary to clear these obstacles.
The diving operations, made possible by reduced river currents and extensive imagery analysis using underwater sonars, are being closely coordinated with the district administration. The Navy has emphasized its commitment to the search efforts, stating that they will continue until all objectives are achieved and normalcy is restored.
The Kerala government had earlier sought the urgent intervention of the Union Defence Ministry, requesting additional support from the Indian Navy due to their expertise in deep diving operations. The Karnataka government had also been urged to resume the search, which has now been reactivated.
The search operations are crucial as the families of the missing individuals await news, and the combined efforts of the Navy, NDRF, and local authorities reflect the dedication to bringing closure to this tragic incident.
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