Karnataka landslide: Minister AK Saseendran demands more intensive search for Arjun

Ankola: Kerala Minister AK Saseendran emphasised the State's call for intensified efforts in the ongoing search for Arjun, who went missing following the landslide in Shiroor, Karnataka. Speaking to the media in Shiroor, Minister Saseendran conveyed that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has pressed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to intensify search operations and maintain a persistent effort until Arjun is located.

Minister Saseendran also stressed the importance of sustained initiatives by district officials and local leadership. He also said that the local MLA has been coordinating these efforts in a proactive manner.

Arjun, a truck driver from Kozhikode, has been missing for 13 days. His Bharat Benz truck was found in the Gangavali River. Currently, a team of local divers from Karnataka is conducting search operations in the river. Head of the team, Ishwar Malpe, a diver and fisherman from Kundapura, stressed that the search for Arjun, who is suspected to be buried under the soil, is very difficult. "There is no visibility at the bottom of the river. The current is up to 12.6 knots. It's like trying to see when bright light hits your eyes," he said.

On Saturday, under the leadership of Malpe, the team examined the depth of the river. But the deep mud and rocks and the rapid currents of the river became the villain.

Meanwhile, Rtd. Major General Indrabalan, who led the drone inspection during the search operation at the landslide site in Shiroor said, "Arjun might be inside the lorry's cabin at its confirmed location if he was in the vehicle when the landslide occurred."

Indrabalan explained that, based on his experience, the chances of a large stone falling and shattering the cabin's glass are minimal.