Ankola (Karnataka): As the search for Arjun, a native of Kozhikode, who went missing in the landslide in Uttara Kannada's Shiroor continues on the seventh day, signals were obtained showing the presence of metal underground, said the district administration.  The new signals were detected on the 'Deep Search Detector' which was brought to the spot from Bengaluru for the search. The presence of metal was found in the same area where Arjun's mobile signal was received earlier during the inspection using the detector. This is a device that helps in searching up to eight meters deep.

At present, the fallen soil on the site has been largely removed. So the current finding is that there will be no lorry here. Following this, the inspection continues with the nearby dunes and the dunes formed in the river due to landslides. More army systems may also be deployed for the search.

Meanwhile, heavy rains have started in the area, making the search difficult. A search is also underway in the Gangavali river. However, the rain and wind started at 12 noon and the search in the river became a challenge.

Army, Navy, NDRF, Fire Rescue, Police and other volunteers are involved in the rescue operation. Police, Motor Vehicle Department and Fire Rescue personnel from Kerala are also engaged in the mission. Many volunteers, including those from Kozhikode, have reached the disaster area in Ankola to search for Arjun.

On the morning of July 16, Arjun (30), a resident of Kannadikkal in Kozhikode, encountered the landslide while his lorry was parked near a tea shop in Ankola along the Panvel-Kochi national highway. The GPS signal from Arjun’s lorry was last located at the site where 10 people, including a tea shop owner, perished in the landslide.