Pettimudi: It was one heart-wrenching sight form the expanse ravaged by a tragedy – the mongrel Kuvi, which was desperately in search of its human friend Dhanushka, 2, finally found the latter’s carcass after eight days.
Kuvi wailed endlessly on seeing the body of the child who died in the Rajamala Pettimudi landslip of August 7.
Dhanushka’s body was found stuck in a tree branch fallen across the river. Rescuers think she was washed away in the deluge of sludge on a fateful night.
Rescuers were directed to the spot by Kuvi who was all along trying to desperately catch a scent of its beloved friend.
Rescue personnel got a cue as Kuvi stood transfixed in the direction of the river.
With this, the number of people dead in the accident rose to 56. The body of Dhanushka’s father, Pradeesh Kumar, was found earlier. Her mother, Kasthuri, and sister Priyadarshini are yet to be found. It is being assumed that their grandmother Karuppayi is the only person alive in the family. Rescue teams said at least 14 people were still missing.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Fire and Rescue Service, the police, and the local people had started rescue efforts after the tragedy struck.
The desolate location of Pettimudi and the washing away of an arterial bridge delayed the rescue operations.
NDRF field commander Rekha Nambiar had told Malayala Manorama that spine-chilling cold and intermittent rain were impeding rescue.
