Major landslide in Kumta, Baindur; Minister slams unscientific widening of highway as reason for landslide Houses crushed, 3 children dead, 8 seriously injured, farmer washed away in Baindur Water level in Tunga Bhadra dam expected to rise in next 24 hours.
Heavy landslide occurred in Tantrakuli, near Deevagi, Kumata on Highway 66, following incessant rains for two days. Three children including an infant - Bhavya Narayana Ambiga (8), Yateen Narayana Ambiga (7) and Dhanush Manjunath Ambiga (one-and-yalf-year-old) - were buried alive and eight others seriously injured when the houses collapsed on them on Sunday. Rescue operations started even as the rains lashed but were unable to save the children. MLA Sharada Sheetu rushed to the spot and alleged that unscientific widening of highway had caused the landslide. A farmer was reportedly washed away at Bijur village, near Uppunda, Baindur, Udupi district on Sunday afternoon. The missing farmer is identified as Harish (34) resident of Kanchikanu village.
District in-charge Minister RV Deshpande has expressed his condolences for the loss of lives and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh per deceased person.
Waterlogging, overflowing of streams and rivers were reported at Bhatkal, Honnavar, Kumta, Ankola and Karwar. In comparison, taluks at a higher plane like Sirsi, Siddapur and Yellapur have received moderate rains. Three houses were reportedly damaged due to rains in Mangaluru City. Roads are flooded and one more day of rains will cause flood fury, fear residents. Traffic has come to a standstill on the highways.
In the Malnad regions of Madikeri, Virajpet in Kodagu district, Sringeri, Mudigere and Kadur in Chikmagalur district, Thirthahalli, Hosanagara and Sagara in Shivamogga districts have received good monsoon. Both Tunga and Bhadra rivers are reportedly overflowing and there is a possibility of the water level rising at Tungabhadra dam in the next 24 hours. In Udupi district, life has been thrown out of gear due to incessant rains. A huge tree fell down at Atradi near Manipal uprooting electric poles resulting in power failure.
