Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will deploy the Indian Navy’s advanced helicopter, ‘Sigmic’, along with a Live Detection Unit to intensify the search for people missing after a devastating landslide in Ganjam district.
The helicopter will conduct an aerial survey of the landslide-hit area to ascertain whether any people remain trapped beneath the debris, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Saturday.
According to the minister, the helicopter will fly from Bhubaneswar airport to Bhanjanagar to assist in the search and rescue operation.
The state government is also exploring the possibility of using the Railways’ chain-pulling technology to strengthen efforts to locate people buried under the soil. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has spoken to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in this regard, Pujari said.
Rescue operations are continuing on a war footing, with hundreds of labourers engaged in clearing the debris and searching for survivors. Specialised expert teams are also arriving to support the ongoing operation.
The deployment of aerial surveillance and advanced detection equipment is expected to strengthen the search for those still missing in the landslide-hit area.
