On Sunday, a devastating landslide struck Indira Nagar in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district, Karnataka, claiming the lives of three family members. The victims, Mallikarjuna, 30, Nagaveni, 27, and their three-year-old son Santhosh, were asleep in their makeshift shed when the disaster occurred at around 2:30 a.m. The landslide, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall in the Malnad region, sent a massive amount of mud and rocks crashing onto the shed. The family, originally from Kakkaragol village in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district, had been working as labourers in the area. Another labourer, Hanumantha, was rescued by Fire and Emergency Services personnel after a large rock pinned his leg, and is undergoing treatment at Jayachamarajendra Hospital in Thirthahalli. Several others, who were staying in a nearby shed, sustained injuries and were admitted to the hospital. The incident has raised concerns about the impact of heavy monsoon rains in the region, which have already caused severe landslides and train cancellations in and around Mangaluru. Authorities have urged residents in landslide-prone areas to remain alert and have launched a relief operation to support those affected.
The Thirthahalli Police Station has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred within its jurisdiction. Restoration teams have been deployed to the site to support relief efforts. The tragedy is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by heavy rainfall in the Western Ghats, where landslides have caused tragic fatalities and major travel disruptions in recent weeks. As the region continues to experience heavy monsoon rains, authorities are working to assess the impact and prevent further disasters.
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📰 Source: Mangalorean News