Bengaluru: Search operations to fish out the body of Shanthakumar, who was washed away in floods during Saturday's squall, has yielded no result. Over 380 men from the National Disaster Relief Force, Madras Engineering Group and BBMP are searching over 30 km stretch of the drain in Summanahalli, Mysuru Road, Bangalore University, Kambipura, Hampapura and Kumbalagudu areas since Monday morning. Three boats and 20 earthmovers have also been pressed into service.
Operation intensified near Kambipura
After Mr M. Sajid, an area resident, gave a clue about the presence of a body, the operation was intensified at Kambipura. He told a local television channel that he saw a body floating in the stormwater drain near Kambipura on Sunday morning, but kept mum as he didn't know who to contact. But the body had not been found till late Monday night.
Workers said the froth in the Vrishabhavathi Valley has been affecting the search operation. “Stormwater drains should have 'check mesh' at regular intervals and near places where the drains turn. These meshes filter the garbage. In the absence of such meshes, the search operation is becoming tough as we do not have any clue as to where the body could be,” said a BBMP engineer on condition of anonymity.
Mayor G. Padmavathi told Deccan Chronicle that the search work was on in full swing. The civic body will announce the compensation for the family of the deceased after the body is fished out, she said.
