Dakshina Kannada, already reeling under heavy monsoon rain, now faces a renewed landslide threat in Kettikal near Vamanjoor, a zone previously identified as highly vulnerable. The collapse of a protective mesh, installed after last year’s landslips, has raised alarms once again.
The area along National Highway 169 had suffered multiple landslides in 2023, damaging homes and disrupting traffic. Despite previous promises by top officials, including the former Deputy Commissioner and District In-charge Minister, no substantial slope-stabilisation work has been carried out.
Frustrated residents and commuters have criticized the government’s failure to implement permanent solutions, stating that temporary fixes have proven inadequate with each monsoon season. As continuous rain worsens soil stability, emergency teams have begun cutting down trees at the hilltop to reduce weight and mitigate the risk of a large-scale collapse.
The local administration has urged caution for those traveling along NH-169, particularly on the Kettikal stretch. Meanwhile, traffic flow remains partially disrupted, with no official announcements regarding diversions.
District authorities are expected to conduct an on-site inspection to assess current conditions and formulate a response plan. However, the lack of prior action despite repeated warnings has sparked criticism over monsoon preparedness in geologically sensitive regions.
As rains continue to lash coastal Karnataka, the looming threat in Kettikal serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of delayed mitigation.
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