Tragic Wall Collapse in Mangaluru Claims Three Lives; Netravati and Kumaradhara Rivers Swell

Share

Share

Share

Share

Email

Share

Mangaluru : An absolute catastrophe unfolded in Mangaluru as relentless monsoon rains triggered a deadly incident within the Kankanadi police station limits. In Naguri, a massive compound wall collapsed violently onto residential quarters, completely crushing the tiled-roof houses underneath. This heart-wrenching mishap led to the tragic demise of a woman and two young girls.

The casualties of this severe accident have been identified as Anamika Chaurasia (8), Pari (3), and Shanta (46), all of whom breathed their last after being trapped beneath the heavy debris and mud. On a brighter note, a timely and swift rescue operation managed to safely pull out Alka (14), Anusha (11), and Balakrishna (48) from the wreckage, saving them from the jaws of death.

The disaster struck between 4:45 AM and 5:00 AM at Mariyal House near Garodi, a time when most residents were fast asleep. Saturated by days of continuous downpours, the heavy boundary wall gave way unexpectedly. It was revealed that four families had been living as tenants in the houses directly beneath this unstable structure.

Among the worst affected was the family of Lalbabu, a migrant worker from Bihar, who had been residing there for the past eight years with his wife and four daughters. While rescue teams and locals successfully saved his daughters Alka and Anusha from the debris, his other two young children, Anamika and Pari, were pulled out unconscious and tragically declared dead.

The second affected family belonged to Balakrishna, also originally from Bihar, who had spent the last two decades living right behind the Kankanadi police station. While Balakrishna managed a narrow escape, his wife Shanta was found trapped and suffocated deep within the mud. Medical professionals later confirmed her unfortunate demise.

The torrential downpour caused a landslide that pushed tons of soil over the houses, burying a total of six individuals under the mud. Emergency response teams acted promptly to extract three people alive, but nature’s fury ultimately claimed the other three precious lives.

As soon as the news broke out, the Kankanadi police and emergency rescue forces rushed to the spot to manage the situation. South Kannada District Commissioner Mullai Mugilan personally visited the disaster site shortly after to inspect the damage, offer condolences to the grieving families, and order immediate relief measures.

Meanwhile, in Uppinangady, the Netravati and Kumaradhara rivers—regarded as the lifelines of South Kannada district—have finally regained their vigor after suffering from a dry spell at the beginning of the monsoon season. Following two days of incessant and heavy rainfall, the water levels have risen drastically, completely submerging the sacred ‘Udbhavalinga’ located mid-river near the Sri Sahasralingeshwara-Mahakali Temple.