Shirur Landslide: Strong river currents hinder search operations

Karwar: The search and recovery operations near Shirur on National Highway 66 continued to face obstacles due to intermittent heavy rains and the swift river currents on Friday.

A truck and a gas tanker chassis are stuck in the river, and although drones have successfully located the spot, expert divers have been unable to reach them.

The river’s undercurrent, with a speed of 6.6 knots, has prevented Navy divers from accessing the truck’s location. Navy experts, skilled in swimming in rivers and seas, attempted to dive into the Gangavali River twice but were unsuccessful.

Karwar MLA Satish Sail, Kerala Public Works Minister, and Deputy Commissioner Lakshmipriya observed the drone-assisted operations on Friday at Shirur.

It is gathered that a barge and platform from Goa is being arranged to assist the search operations on Saturday. Another attempt will be made to reach the sunken truck.

Three victims of the landslide are yet to be located.

The removal of debris on both sides of the highway is ongoing. NHAI and the National Highway Engineering Division have initiated several precautionary measures near Shirur.