Sniffer dogs join search in Miriybedda mudslide
October 31, 2014 03:39 pm
Sniffer dogs were brought this morning to join the search for bodies in Miriybedda, two days after a major mudslide buried alive scores of people.
Rescue operations suspended on Thursday afternoon due to the prevailing bad weather conditions, searching resumed again this morning with the team of sniffer dogs, hundreds of troops and with the aid of heavy machinery.
Although officials have estimated that around 100 people lost their lives on the Meeriyabedda plantation, only a handful of bodies have been dug out from the mud that wiped out scores of homes.
The landslide triggered by the heavy rain fall left some 818 persons displaced and they are currently hosed at two centres in Haldummulla.
According to the authorities, at least 120 line houses have been completely swept away by the landslide and over 150 persons believed to be trapped under the rubble. “At least 150 men, women and children – believed to be trapped.” an officee said.
