Karwar
The search operation for those missing after the Shirur hill collapse will resume in two months. A dredging machine and barge have arrived from Goa at Karwar port for this purpose.
On July 16, a massive hill collapse in Shirur, Ankola, resulted in 11 fatalities, with only eight bodies recovered. The bodies of Jagannath Nayka, Lokesh Nayka, and Arjun from Kerala remain missing. Initial searches were conducted along the Gangavali river and its banks for about a month but were halted due to strong river currents.
Concerns have been raised that the dredging machine may become stuck in the sand as water levels have decreased. Additionally, crossing under the Gangavali river bridge with the full equipment poses challenges. Therefore, dredging machinery will be placed on the barge before attempting the crossing.
The operation is expected to begin once the dredging machine reaches Shirur. The total cost for the dredging operation is estimated at Rs 90 lakh. It is believed that more bodies and a lorry may be trapped under the mud in the river due to the collapse.
