On 16 July 2024, at approximately 08:30 IST, a landslide occurred in Shirur, Ankola in Uttara Kannada in the Indian state of Karnataka.[1][2][3] The landslide was caused by construction work and heavy rains, and resulted in at least nine deaths, with two missing in the debris or nearby Gangavali River.
  Ankola Landslide  Ankola Landslide | |
| Date | 16 July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Time | 08:30 (IST) |
| Location | Ankola, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India |
| Type | Landslide |
| Cause | Rain, road construction |
| Outcome | Loss of human life and property |
| Deaths | 9 |
| Missing | 2 |
Incident
editAccording to a preliminary report by a team from the Geological Survey of India, the landslide was caused by construction work being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India, along with recent heavy rainfall.[4] The landslide closed a portion of National Highway 66 between Ankola and Kumta,[5] and on 1 August, the road was reopened to traffic.[6]
Deaths and missing
editNine people, all natives of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu died in the landslide and two more are missing.[7][8][9] One victim, a lorry driver Arjun from Kerala, was hit by the landslide while he was resting in his truck on the side of the road. Arjun was driving a truck owned by Manaf, a native of Kozhikode, Kerala Extensive search operations were conducted for his recovery.[10][11]
On 29 July, the government of Karnataka decided to suspend active search operations until the Gangavalli River is suitable for diving again, or until new rescue machinery can be brought in.[12] Search operations were later restarted in September and lorry driver Karan's body was found in the same month.[13]
Response
editMany groups were involved in relief efforts, including the Indian Army and Navy, the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force of Karnataka, Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services, and the Karnataka Police. Efforts resumed on the morning of 18 July after being halted on 16 July due to heavy rainfall.[14]
Siddaramaiah, the chief minister of Karnataka, visited the site, and announced payments of ₹5 lakh (US$6,000) to families of the victims.[15]
A. K. M. Ashraf, member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Manjeshwara, and MLA of Karnataka Satish Krishna Sail camped in the area.[16]
References
edit- ^ H, Pavan Kumar. "Unscientific NH, development works make Uttara Kannada district prone to landslides". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 2024-07-18. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "When a hill came down: Two Karnataka villages, separated by a river, unite in grief". The Indian Express. 2024-07-29. Archived from the original on 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ Chandra, Subhash (24 July 2024). "Shirur landslide: Karnataka govt confirms location of truck in Gangavali River; the search is to resume on Thursday". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ "Unscientific work by NHAI led to Shirur landslide: Geological Survey of India report". The Indian Express. 2024-07-31. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
- ^ H, Pavan Kumar. "Landslide hit Shirur highway in Uttara Kannada opened for few hours". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
- ^ "Angola: National Highway near Shiruru reopens after landslide closure". Udayavani. August 1, 2024. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (2024-07-19). "Bodies Of 7 Among 10 Who Went Missing At Landslide Site In Karnataka's Uttara Kannada Recovered". ETV Bharat News. Archived from the original on 2024-07-28. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ H, Pavan Kumar. "Landslide hit Shirur highway in Uttara Kannada opened for few hours". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
Three more persons are still missing from the area.
- ^ "Karnataka landslide: Body of woman recovered, death toll goes up to 8". Hindustan Times. Press Trust of India. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ Staff, T. N. M. (2024-07-24). "Karnataka landslide: Kerala man Arjun's lorry found in Gangavali river". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
- ^ "2 മാസത്തിലേറെ സങ്കടക്കാത്തിരിപ്പ്, ഒടുവിൽ അർജുന്റെ ലോറി കണ്ടെത്തി; മൃതദേഹം ബോട്ടിലേക്ക് മാറ്റി". Malayala Manorama (in Malayalam). 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Karnataka suspends ops, Kerala's agonising wait for karan continues". The Times of India. July 29, 2024. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Service, Express News (2024-09-26). "Cabin of Karan's truck, decomposed body recovered from Gangavali river". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ "Ankola landslide: Search for Arjun enters 10th day; scuba divers to inspect truck's cabin". Onmanorama. Archived from the original on 2024-07-28. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ PTI (2024-07-21). "No negligence or delay in rescue operation, Karnataka CM asserts after visiting landslide-hit Shirur". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2024-07-28. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ Pattanashetti, Girish (July 24, 2024). "Uttara Kannada Landslide: Search teams believe they have location of Kerala truck buried by landslip in Karnataka". The Hindu. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024 – via www.thehindu.com.
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