New Delhi

In a first, an NDRF cadaver dog has successfully detected a body during rescue operations in Sri Lanka, which is battling massive floods and landslides triggered by cyclone Ditwah.

Two NDRF teams with 80 personnel and four dogs are deployed under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Sri Lanka has reported 479 deaths and 350 missing as extreme weather since November 16 has caused large-scale devastation.

Cadaver dog Vicky, a Labrador trained recently at NDRF’s Ghaziabad battalion, located a body buried 4–5 feet under debris in Badulla on Wednesday, contingent commander Praveen Kumar Tiwari said. This marks the first operational success for the newly inducted cadaver dog squad.

Another dog, Rocky, has also given indications at other landslide sites.

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The NDRF has so far rescued 136 people, including a nine-month pregnant woman, and distributed relief to about 2,000 affected residents. The teams will continue extensive search operations over the next two days.