Odisha Police's search and rescue dog Storm returns from Wayanad, makes state proud 

Odisha Police’s only search and rescue dog, Storm is lapping up praises for his efforts in Kerala’s Wayanad district. 

On July 30, Wayanad woke up to one of the deadliest natural calamities as landslides triggered by heavy rainfall left a trail of death and destruction. While over 300 people died, many went missing. 

It was when the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, police and other agencies were still searching for the missing ones, on July 4, Storm along with a team comprising one inspector, two sub-inspectors and a trainer of the K9 dog left for Kerala from Berhampur.

Storm, a German Shepherd breed dog, traced 10 to 12 dead bodies from under the debris. After reaching Odisha, it also demonstrated how it did its job. 

“We stayed there for seven days. During our stay, the rescue teams recovered 10 to 12 bodies after our indication,” said A Balkrishna Rao, a rescue team member. 

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Kerala Police and Berhampur SP heaped praises on Storm for his excellent work in Wayanad. 

“After completion of the rescue operation, the IG of Kerala was all praises for the Odisha team, particularly Storm,” said Prahallad Naik, head constable who handled Storm in Wayanad. 

“Storm has done a commendable job. I think if the number of search and rescue dogs is increased, it would be helpful in future,” said Dr Sarthak Sarangi, Berhampur SP.