The Uttara Kannada district administration has requested assistance from the Indian Coast Guard to help locate individuals missing from the landslide at Shirur in Ankola. Despite efforts on Friday, progress was limited to clearing landslide debris in some areas.
Rescue and restoration work on National Highway 66 continued under challenging conditions. The harsh terrain, heavy rainfall, and rising water levels in the Gangavalli River significantly hampered the rescue team’s efforts. Additionally, the possibility of further landslides in adjoining areas added to the challenges.
Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya confirmed that the district administration sought the Coast Guard’s help, requesting helicopters to search for bodies in the river and areas with significant soil deposition. “I have written to the Indian Coast Guard to send a helicopter to search for the bodies in the river and even in places where soil has deposited, as these areas are beyond our reach,” she said.
However, adverse weather conditions have made the deployment of helicopters nearly impossible. The helicopters, expected to arrive from Goa, could not take off due to heavy rainfall. The district administration hopes for improved weather conditions to facilitate the arrival of the helicopters.
The ongoing adverse weather and challenging terrain underscore the difficulties faced by the rescue teams as they continue their efforts to locate the missing individuals and clear the debris.