On Saturday, as the search enters 12th day, hope of finding Kerala native Arjun dims but volunteers aren’t giving up. This is their story
Published Jul 27, 2024 | 10:05 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 10, 2024 | 12:23 PM
Efforts were on to locate the missing persons including Arjun at the site where the landslide occurred. (Supplied)
At least eight bodies have so far been recovered after the devastating landslide hit Ankola in Shirur of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka on Tuesday, July 16.
On Saturday, July 27, as the search enters the 12th day, hope dims of finding Kerala native Arjun, who was trapped in the landslide while driving a timber-laden truck from Karnataka to Kerala.
Arjun’s family in Kerala anxiously follows every development, their hopes pinned on the rescue teams. The tragedy spurred a wave of solidarity, with numerous volunteers from Kerala rushing to the site to lend a helping hand.
This influx of volunteers too sparked a debate, with questions raised about the effectiveness of untrained individuals; would their very presence, despite their good intentions, hamper professional rescuers? One volunteer from Kerala had significant insights to offer on his experience.
South First spoke to a team of volunteers who arrived in Shirur during the initial stages of the rescue operation. On behalf of the Kurachundu Rescue Team (KRT), Biju Kakkayam said, “The terrain in Shirur is nothing short of a nightmare. Every inch of this land seems to be on edge, a landslide looming. The rain is relentless, coming down in heavy sheets, accompanied by gusty winds.”
Besides the unstable slopes, the Gangavalli River, which the locals call Bedthi, is in full fury. “They say it overflows during the monsoon, inundating everything in its path. Right now, it’s a raging torrent,” Biju Kakkayam said.
The KRT team at Ankola. (Supplied)
Eight members of the KRT had become part of the rescue-search mission in Shirur for five days. This team has since returned. KRT was part of rescue efforts at Kurumpachi Hill in Malampuzha, Palakkad district of Kerala when a trekker got trapped in a crevice in 2022.
Biju Kakkayam said that the debris in the river has created a monstrous island-like structure right in the middle, creating a dam-like structure that has blocked the flow of the river. The stream of the river has split in two around this island.
“Imagine trying to reach this unstable mass in the middle of a churning river. It’s a death-defying task,” he said, commending the efforts of the rescue team from the Indian Navy.
“We’re truly in awe of their courage and expertise. But the situation is dire, and every passing hour brings new challenges,” he said, adding that members of his team had experienced a sense of urgency when the news of the disaster first arrived.
“It needed a swift, coordinated response,” he said, “From the outset, our assessment of a multi-pronged approach, encompassing land, river, and downstream searches, appeared logical. Even so, when we reached the disaster site, the reality was starkly different,” he said, adding that even though it was clear to him and members of his team that the search needed to expand into the river, the authorities were land-centric in their approach and appeared to prioritize restoring traffic flow on National Highway 66.
“That left us baffled. Time was slipping away,” he said, adding that the influx of politicians caused a flurry of activity. “The rescue mission appeared to lack the cohesion needed at a time of crisis,” he said, adding that he hoped lessons would be learnt from this ordeal. A scientific protocol is necessary, for effective disaster response, he said, “The ability to swiftly assess the situation and deploy resources efficiently could mean the difference between life and death.”
“As we stand here, in this wreckage of hope, it’s impossible to shake off the feeling of what might have been, had the operation been more comprehensively planned and executed. Perhaps the outcome would have been different,” he said.
Volunteers at work. (Supplied)
Although himself a volunteer, he remarked about the spirit of solidarity, which was admirable. Yet, he remarked, “A wave of volunteers flooded the affected area, many with no expertise or equipment. Many arrived with good intention, but some seemed more interested in media attention,” he said. He emphasized the need for discipline, physical dexterity and self-control in volunteers, noting that the local culture and the response to the crisis were different from what he was familiar with, in Kerala.
Highlighting the challenges faced by rescue teams, Biju said ongoing efforts are based on assumptions, because of the difficult terrain and river conditions. Local people have reported mysterious booms from the river, which could be attributed to earthquake-induced underwater landslides, he said.
Given the high risks, authorities have imposed restrictions on volunteer activities. Biju says the decision was taken out of concern for the safety of volunteers and the potential burden on rescue resources in case of accidents. While the spirit of volunteerism is undoubtedly crucial in disaster relief, Biju underscored the importance of preparedness, coordination, and respect for local conditions in such challenging circumstances.
Kerala Tourism Minister PA Muhamamd Riyaz arrived in Shirur on 26 July to oversee the ongoing mission. He told the media that the rescue efforts would continue and advanced equipment would be deployed.
He said he had met officials of the Karnataka government and the Indian Navy, and floating pontoons would be brought to the site. “The mission will continue despite adverse weather conditions, and we discussed how to do it,” he said.
An advanced drone-based Intelligent Underground Buried Object Detection System, capable of detecting objects up to 30 meters deep in soil and water, used in disaster and war-like scenarios, was pressed into service to locate the missing persons including Arjun. The minister said he would remain at the site with officials to monitor the situation.
The Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday, 26 July, wrote letter to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to order the deployment of additional divers and advanced equipment like Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) to search for the missing lorry driver Arjun.
The Kerala CM also wrote to his counterpart in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, informing him about the assistance sought from the Centre.
“I have written a letter to the Union Minister of Defence, requesting his urgent personal intervention for providing additional divers and advanced equipment from the Indian Navy,” he said in his letter to the Karnataka CM.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
