Ankola/Thrissur: Search operations for Arjun, the Malayali lorry driver believed to be trapped under soil following a landslide in Shiroor, have seen a new development. Despite the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Navy teams almost halting their efforts, Kerala has dispatched a technical team to Ankola to assess the feasibility of using a dredger to recover his vehicle.
The team, based in Thrissur, includes a dredger operator and an official from the Agriculture Department. They left for Ankola to conduct a technical inspection before transporting the dredger to Shiroor. Upon reaching the site and inspecting the conditions, the team will decide whether to proceed with the dredger operation.
The duo will evaluate if the dredger can be used in the strong currents of the Gangavali River, where signals similar to those of Arjun’s lorry were detected. Although the river’s flow and water level have decreased after a long wait, diving into the river remains impossible due to persistent strong currents.
A dredger, which scoops out mud from the riverbed, will only be used if deemed suitable for the current conditions. Karnataka has insisted on confirming the dredger’s usability before transporting it, while Kerala has expressed readiness to deliver it within 24 hours if given permission.
Meanwhile, efforts to make the national highway passable are ongoing. The Navy has been asked by the Karnataka Government to stay on site and continue rescue operations until the river’s current recedes enough for divers to inspect the area.