Karnataka Landslide: Heavy Rains and Tough Terrain Hinder Rescue Efforts

Rescue operations are ongoing in Shirur village, Karnataka, to locate three missing individuals, including a lorry driver from Kerala, after a massive landslide. Despite recovering seven bodies so far, heavy rains are hampering efforts. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to review operations on-site.

Rescue operations continued on Saturday in Shirur village, Karnataka, to locate three people, including a lorry driver from Kerala, who went missing after a massive landslide earlier this week.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to visit the landslide site on Sunday to review the search operations. Seven bodies have been recovered so far since the incident on July 16, police said.

Equipment like ground-penetrating radar and metal detectors are being employed to aid the rescue efforts, with heavy rains proving to be a significant challenge.

Superintendent of Police (Karwar) Narayana M told PTI, “Rescue and search operations have resumed again today. We are doing everything possible to trace those reported missing. All agencies are at their best. We have recovered seven bodies so far, and unfortunately, three more are reported missing, including the lorry driver from Kerala. Our entire administration is at the spot, and helicopters and Navy personnel are assisting in the operation.”

Regarding the missing lorry driver from Kerala, he added, “We are trying to trace the lorry. Although GPS has tracked the location to where the landslide occurred, we haven't found it yet. The entire hill collapsed on the road during the incident. We are doing everything to locate the vehicle.” He noted that heavy rains were hampering the search operations.

Vehicular traffic has been temporarily suspended on National Highway 66 due to the landslide.