Mangaluru: Relentless rainfall, measuring nearly 300mm, lashed several regions of Dakshina Kannada late Thursday and Friday, claiming four lives—including three children—and leaving two fishermen missing.
In the most tragic incident, a landslide struck Pambada Hittilu Kodi Koppala in Montepadavu, Manjanady village, where five members of a family were buried under mud while asleep. The landslide, triggered by a collapsing hillock and tree, destroyed the house of Kanthappa Poojary. His wife Prema Poojary (58), and grandchildren Aryan (2.5 years) and Arush (1 year) perished. While Aryan and Prema’s bodies were recovered first, baby Arush, though rescued, succumbed en route to the hospital. Kanthappa and daughter-in-law Ashwini were seriously injured and are being treated at a hospital. Seetharama, the couple’s son, managed to escape and alert neighbors, but the house was completely flattened, making rescue efforts extremely challenging.
In a second incident in Kanakare, Belma village, a retaining wall collapse led to the death of 10-year-old Fathima Naeema, daughter of Naushad, when the rear hill gave way and crashed onto their home.
Meanwhile, two fishermen, Yashavanth Karkera (52) and Kamalaksha Salian (47), went missing after their boat overturned at Thota Bengre near the Gurupura-Nethravati river confluence.
With coastal areas battered, authorities declared holidays for anganwadis, primary and high schools across Mangaluru, Bantwal, and Ullal taluks. Areas like Kotekar, Talapady, and Kinya received over 280mm rainfall. Several parts of Mangaluru witnessed flooding, fallen trees, and damaged homes, prompting rescue by locals using boats.
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