Karnataka Landslide: Drone detects another signal from heap of mud in Gangavali River

Shiroor (Karnataka): With the search for Arjun and his lorry entering 11th day, the drone detected a signal from a heap of mud at the center of the Gangavali River, giving a new ray of hope on Friday. Officials believe the profile of the signal matches that of a lorry.

However, the search operation is facing challenges due to torrential rains and the overflowing river. The signal was detected over 60 meters from the road, near a rocky sand dune at the centre of the river. It is expected that information regarding scanning of the signal will be available by the evening.

Meanwhile, Retired Major General Indrabalan told Mathrubhumi News that the search will be intensified, focusing on this new signal. Four spots have been identified in the river, three of which were previously found by the mission team.

The river is 18-20 feet deep, and it may take some time to determine how deep the lorry is lying. It is believed that four objects – Arjun's lorry, a tanker lorry's cabin, a high-tension line tower and a roadside rail fencing were lost in the river.

Experts from Bharat Benz have suggested that the cabin of Arjun's lorry and its remaining parts are unlikely to have separated, as the lorry is designed to carry a load of up to 55 kg joules and its cabin is not detachable. Once the lorry's location is confirmed, the next challenge will be to trace Arjun's whereabouts.