A coordinated response involving the Indian Navy, the NDRF, and the district administration is ongoing to locate the missing personnel and truck in the landslide-affected area.

A major landslide, triggered by relentless monsoon rains on July 16, 2024, in Shirur—about 40 kilometers south of Karwar in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka—has caused significant disruptions. The landslide resulted in the closure of National Highway 66 between Kumta and Karwar. Several vehicles, including a Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) tanker, were swept away into the adjacent Gangaveli River. 

The Uttara Kannada district administration promptly sought help from the Indian Navy to locate and recover the missing HPCL tanker. 

In a rapid response, the Indian Navy deployed two diving teams—consisting of twelve divers and six hydrographers, along with inflatable boats and essential equipment—from the Naval Base at Karwar to Shirur.  

In a coordinated effort with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Naval personnel successfully recovered the HPCL LPG tanker on July 17, 2024. The tanker was then emptied of its gas by HPCL representatives, ensuring safety and preventing any potential hazards.

Since July 19, 2024, Indian Navy teams, equipped with high-resolution sonar, have been diligently searching for another missing truck driven by Arjun Mooladikuzhiyil from Kerala. According to an official statement from the Indian Navy, "Strong river currents, displaced debris from the hillside, and adverse weather conditions have made the search of the riverbed challenging." 

A collaborative effort involving the Indian Navy, the NDRF, and the district administration is actively underway to locate the missing personnel and truck in the landslide-affected region.