Mysuru:  “The search for my daughter Manjula whose life was lost during the landslide and floods on Aug.17 at Jodupala where she was studying in my sister Gowramma’s house is still going on. I live in a tribal area and on that fateful day even after I came to know of the tragedy, I was not able to reach the place. It was only four days later that we were able to go there only to find that my sister and other members of the family had all died,” recalled Somaiah, father of the flood victim Manjula from Kodagu.

He was sharing his experience after releasing the book ‘Kathe Heluve Nanna – Kodagina Nonda Hrudayagalu… Midida Managalu’ written by journalist Ravi Pandavapura at the Rani Bahadur Auditorium here this morning and said that his daughter was a tenth standard student and he was still in search of her body.

Kodagu Superintendent of Police Dr. Suman D. Pennekar said that it was just one month before she had taken charge and this was a very new experience when the tragedy struck, which was very challenging.

“There were distress calls all around. But everyone be it the local guides, officials and the public rose to the occasion and supported us in those trying times. Even the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Deputy Commissioner were with us. However, our first priority was to rescue those who were alive and only later we concentrated on recovering the dead bodies,” she said.

Senior Journalist Ananth Chinivar spoke about the book. Kodagu Press Club President Ajjamada Ramesh Kuttappa presided. Somaiah’s wife K.S. Jayanthi, sons K.S. Darshan and K.S. Roshan were present.

Abhiruchi Prakashna’s Abhiruchi Ganesh who has published the book and author Ravi Pandavapura were also present. The 128-page book is priced at Rs. 105 and the proceeds of the book will go towards Kodagu Relief Fund.

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