Rescue mission to find missing lorry driver continues through night, Arjun likely to be found at depth of nine feet

ANKOLA: The rescue mission to find Arjun (30), of Moolazhikuzhi in Kannadikkal in Kozhikode's Kakkodi, who went missing with his lorry after a landslide in Ankola's Shiroor, didn't bear fruit even after the fifth day.

Meanwhile, it is known that a signal indicating that Arjun is nine feet deep was received at 8 pm last night. The rescue mission will continue during the night, and if the weather is favourable, the rescue mission could reach its target before dawn.

The rescue mission became active when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah started assessing the situation directly. Heavy rain during the removal of soil yesterday evening hampered the search.

The weather was clear in the morning but it started to rain in the afternoon. Radar testing was interrupted due to rain as it can only detect up to 4 to 5 meters underground. The expert team of NIT said that the radar isn't working effectively due to rain and mud.

Earlier it was thought that a part of the vehicle was found, but later it was realized that it was not. The navy, which conducted the search, asserts that the truck Arjun was driving did not fall into the river. The fifth day of search began on Saturday at 7:30 am.

50m to the target, earth moving proves difficult

# To reach the place where the lorry is believed to be lying, a fifty-meter section of soil has to be removed. This is about six meters high. 150 meters of soil has been removed.

# Difficult situation in the muddy area due to gushing of water from eight springs on the hill. Due to the waterlogged soil and part of Gangoli River, more soil scrapers cannot be used.

Two teams of NDRF battalions from Andhra Pradesh have arrived on Karnataka's request. Despite not seeking help, a rescue team from Kerala has arrived but Karnataka has not given permission to join the mission.

Army's Madras Engineering Group is available in Karnataka if required.