More than 7 feared to be dead as landslide hits Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district

Gowda added that the debris swept away two tankers – one empty and the other full – into the Gangavalli river running along the highway. He added that since tankers are a safety hazard, experts are being summoned to handle them.

Gowda also said there are apprehensions that the bodies of the other victims got washed away into the river, which is located close to the sea. Families of the deceased will be given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh once the bodies are recovered, he added.

‘Faulty design’

Gowda attributed the accident to design flaws by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). “Normally, cuts (on hillocks) are made at a 45 degree angle but the NHAI made a steep cut on the hillock which is almost straight. Due to continuous rainfall, the portion collapsed,” Gowda claimed.

The minister said that the state government had earlier written to the NHAI about the design flaws on the stretch.

He added, “Just beneath the now-collapsed portion was a dhaba run by a local resident. When the landslide hit, three LPG tankers – two loaded and one empty – had stopped at the dhaba for a tea break.”

The identification of those missing

Meanwhile, the police have identified the missing as Laxman Naik, 47, Shanti Naik, 55, Avantika, 6, Roshan, 11, and Jagannath, 55. The others are yet to be identified.

Speaking to the media, Uttara Kannada MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said, “I have held a meeting and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will assess and initiate further action. The district administration is coordinating with them.”

Kageri added that rainfall in parts of the Uttara Kannada district is above normal, resulting in landslides and flooding at many places of the district.

IMD’s red alert in district

Earlier, on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert in the district.

Meanwhile, Laxmipriya, Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner, on Monday declared a holiday for all schools and pre-university colleges in Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Sirsi, Siddapur, Yellapur, Dandeli and Joida taluks.

A quick response team of the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) said, “Following the IMD red alert across coastal Karnataka and the Malnad districts, including Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada, heavy rain continued on Tuesday. Reports indicate landslides in various areas, with highways turning into ponds. The road from Honnavar to Bengaluru has been closed due to heavy rain. Travelers from Bhatkal to Goa Airport have reported their cars are stuck on the Kumta, Ankola, and Karwar highway due to landslides and waterlogging.”