6 days after Kodagu landslide, priest’s body found 2.5km away; search on for 3 more

coastaldigest.com news network
August 12, 2020

IMG-20200812-WA0018.jpg

Madikery, Aug 12: Exactly six days after a massive landslide destroyed his house in Kodagu’s Talacauvery, the body of local chief priest Narayana Achar (80) was traced on Tuesday.

Five people including the priest, his family members and assistants were feared to buried alive after the August 6 landslide. Priest’s brother Ananda Tirtha Swami’s body was found on August 8.

The priest’s  body was spotted in a trench at Nagatheertha, 2.5 km away from the site of the landslide and was in a decomposed state. 

Bodies of Achar’s wife Shantha and assistant priests Ravikiran Bhat and Srinivas are yet to be traced.

Personnel of the NDRF, SDRF, local police and the fire and emergency services continued searches for the bodies of the others amid rain and foggy weather.

Achar used to sleep on the attic of the house daily. The intensity of the landslide was such that he was dragged 2.5 km from his house.

When the search was carried out at Nagateertha, toes of the chief priest’s body were spotted and soon, the body was unearthed. After an autopsy at Bhagamandala hospital, the body was handed over to the family members.

The last rites were performed on the family-owned land on Tuesday evening. Achar’s daughters Sharada, Namitha, grandchildren and other family members were inconsolable. 

Mangled remains of two cars and a scooter have also been found, along with the carcass of the family’s pet dog.

Achar’s car driver Jayanth recalled that the former was an agriculturist and had three pieces of land, where he grew cardamom and pepper. Spices worth lakhs of rupees were stocked in the house.

Jayanth said he had advised Achar to shift to a safer place as the rains had intensified. But the priest did not agree. He might have been concerned about the safety of the agricultural produce and other valuables, he said.

The driver recalled that the tiles of the house were blown away by winds the previous day of the incident and that he had put them back in their place.

District in-charge minister V Somanna said there is no question of discontinuing the search operations. The search will go on till the bodies of all those who went missing are traced.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
January 6,2025

Bengaluru: An eight-month old baby has been detected with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in a Bengaluru hospital on Monday, with reports going viral online. This is likely the first reported case of HMPV in the country after the recent spike in China.

The baby is reportedly undergoing treatment in a private hospital in northern Bengaluru.

The Karnataka state health department has maintained that there is no cause for concern.

"We don't know what strain of virus is spreading in China. Without knowing that, we cannot say that this reported case is concerning. We have been reviewing all influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) from December to check for any strain that is concerning. There is no such concerning spike across the state or country," said a well-placed source in the state health department.

The HMPV is a known virus (first discovered in 2001) that causes respiratory symptoms similar to that of a common cold, largely affecting children below the age of five. It is not a new virus.

Cases have been reported in the past, especially in the winter season, note experts and health department officials, making it not an immediate concern, unless an unusual spike is observed.

In December 2024, 714 suspected cases of HMPV were tested in 16 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) across the country, of which only nine were confirmed positive.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
January 17,2025

airkerala.jpg

Dubai: Air Kerala, India’s newest airline supported by UAE investors, has selected Kochi International Airport as its primary operational hub. The airline announced this decision early Thursday, revealing plans for its inaugural domestic flight from Kochi in June this year, followed by a UAE launch in 2027. 

The announcement was made at a press conference in Kochi recently in the presence of several members of the Kerala government, including Industries, Law, and Coir Minister P. Rajeve.

P. Rajeve expressed, "Air Kerala’s establishment marks a proud moment for the state, promising to enhance connectivity, generate employment, and boost tourism."

Chairman Afi Ahmed, a Dubai-based entrepreneur, highlighted, "Choosing COK as our base underscores our confidence in Kerala's potential to emerge as a key aviation hub. We are eager to contribute to and connect the state's growth with the world."

Aircraft Acquisition:

CEO Harish Kutty announced that the initial phase will utilize five leased aircraft, each with a 76-seat capacity. An agreement has been finalized with an Irish lessor for these planes. Over the next two years, the airline plans to acquire an additional 20 new aircraft.

Air Kerala aims to expand its services internationally, connecting major cities and reaching smaller towns across South India.

Economic Impact and Growth:

According to Ahmed, as Kerala’s first airline, Air Kerala is poised to significantly impact the state's economy. "The airline’s operations will create 750 direct and indirect job opportunities in its first year," he stated.

The airline also anticipates a boost to Kerala's tourism sector. Ahmed noted, "With affordable fares and accessible routes, Air Kerala aims to attract global tourists eager to explore Kerala."

Harish Kutty emphasized the airline's commitment to operating as a true ultra-low-cost carrier, making air travel affordable for all. "We aim to convert bus and train passengers into air travelers with our competitive fares and superior service," he affirmed.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
January 7,2025

ausafmang.jpg

Mangaluru: A tragic road accident claimed the life of a young medical store owner on Monday, January 6, near Tiblapadavu, Natekallu, located on the outskirts of the city.

The victim, identified as 25-year-old Ausaf, was the proprietor of Hajira Medicals and the son of Jaleel, a resident of Derlakatte. 

The unfortunate incident unfolded as Ausaf was riding his bike from Derlakatte toward Tiblapadavu. Upon approaching a divider near Tiblapadavu, a lorry made a sudden turn, resulting in a collision between the motorbike and the rear of the lorry. Ausaf succumbed to his injuries on the spot.

Having completed his education a few years ago, Ausaf had taken up the responsibility of managing Hajira Medicals at Derlakatte Junction. He was well-known in his community for his dedication and service.

Authorities at the Mangaluru South Traffic Police Station have registered a case, and CCTV footage capturing the incident is under review. The tragic loss has left the local community in shock, mourning the untimely demise of a promising young entrepreneur. 

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.