'First thing we saw was a hand'; Dog swims across Chaliyar River, finds body buried underground

KALPATTA: The rescue operation in Mundakkai, Wayanad, has entered its seventh day, with teams of 50 people conducting searches across 12 zones. Efforts are concentrated in Chaliyar and along its coast.

Amidst the ongoing search, heart-warming footage has emerged of a dog assisting the fire brigade near Chaliyar. This dog believed to be from a nearby colony, played a crucial role in discovering a body buried in soil on the banks of the Chaliyar River.

The dog swam across the Chaliyar River and travelled approximately 10 kilometres alongside the fire and rescue team. "This dog has been with our team since morning, when I took a break, I gave it some biscuits. It then rejoined us. When we reached a certain part of the river, the dog began scratching the ground. Initially, we didn't pay much attention. When we saw the dog sniffing, our team decided to investigate. The first thing we saw was a hand, then a head. It was the body of a woman, deeply buried in the ground. The dog stayed with us throughout the subsequent search," said one fire and rescue officer.