Chief priest's daughters fly in from Australia, NZ

Madikeri: Search operation by NDRF team to locate five people, including the chief priest of Sri Cauvery temple, reported missing following a massive landslide in Talacauvery, was disrupted by the mist in the early hours on Monday.

The team did not succeed in tracing out the bodies on Monday and the operation will continue on Tuesday, said officials.

The chief priest Narayanachar ’s daughters — Namitha from Australia and Sharada from New Zealand— reached Bhagamandala on Monday and met district minister V Somanna.

Three teams, including NDRF, SDRF and the local police were simultaneously conducting search operations from Cherangala to Talacauvery, MLA K G Bopaiah told TOI. He said the body of Swami Anandathirtha will be handed over to the family members on Tuesday.

Commencement of puja

The district in-charge minister V Somanna, MP Prathap Simha alongside MLA KG Bopaiah and DC Annies K Joy attended a meeting with the Talacauvery Temple Committee to discuss commencement of regular puja at the temple premises.

The temple priests have suggested remedial rituals to be conducted before restarting the puja and V Somanna extended support to the recommendations.

The regular rituals at the temple will, however, begin only after the road to the temple is cleared off the landslide.

“A stretch to the temple of about 180 metre is blocked. This has to be cleared diligently as it should not affect the site where operation to find missing persons is under way. This road will be cleared for the priests to walk up to the temple area to carry out the regular rituals,” said the contractor in-charge.

Meanwhile the driver who ferried priest Narayanachar’s daughters from Bengaluru Airport to Bhagamandala has tested positive, while the daughters have tested negative.

Pictures

1.Narayanachar’s daughters and granddaughters at the site

2. Search operation

3. Minister discussing with Archak’s daughters

4. Minister and MLA at the site