Mangalore, Jun 18: Heavy rains wreaked havoc in several parts of coastal district of Dakshina Kannada and triggered landslide at a village near Bajpe on the outskirts of the city killing at least four people.
Sources said that four people of a family were buried alive after a landslide triggered by continuous heavy rains hit their house at Thottilugundi under the limits of Bajpe police station.
The incident occurred at around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
The deceased have been identified as Sundara (58), Sundari (55), Baby (45) and Chaitra (14). The ill-fated house belonged to Shekhar (48).
Five others, who sustained severe injuries-Ashwitha (14), Ashwini (18), Asha (38), Veena (50), Ashwath (11), Shambhavi (12) and Shekhar-in the incident have been shifted to hospital for treatment.
Home minister K J George who visited the spot along with Fisheries Minister K Abhayachandra Jain, District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai and Deputy Commissioner N Prakash announced a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh for the family of the deceased.
As many as 12 families of the vicinity were asked to vacate immediately .
Meanwhile, bodies of the deceased were shifted to Bajpe Primary Health Centre.
Speaking to Coastaldigest.com, Leelavathi (48) one of the injured currently being treated at the Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore, said that she along with her children were in deep sleep when the incident occurred. “We were fast asleep when the wall caved in. My daughters have also sustained injuries. I did have a look at them after being brought here to the hospital. We have been living in that house for the past 20 years but never thought this would happen”, said Ms. Leelavathi, who herself has sustained injuries on her forehead and back.
Her daughters Ashwini and Asha who have sustained injuries on their legs, are also recovering at the hospital, besides 8 year old Ashwath, Asha's son.
Shekhar (40), brother of Leelavathi and owner of one of the two houses that collapsed, also undergoing treatment at the hospital, said that the house was given to them by the government. “We are SC/STs and the house was given to us under the Ambedkar scheme. We have been living there since 20 years. Another private building came up behind our houses and a compound wall constructed by them could not withstand the rain fury which is why it fell on our houses. Fortunately, I was the only man in my family who was in the house when the incident happened. My wife and children are away to see their relatives”, Mr. Shekhar said.
Like everyone else, he too was asleep when the mishap took place. “I was woken up by the sound and felt the wall caving in on me. I got up and ran for my life and came out of the house. By the time I could look back and see, the house had already collapsed. I managed to somehow climb the rubble and shouted for help from the adjacent building owners who pulled me up and provided shelter for me. It took a while to realize that the other house (Leelavathi's house) was also in danger. The locals gathered and a united effort was put in to rescue the ones in there. The four deaths are unfortunate”, he said.
Mr. Shekhar has sustained head injuries.. He has been asked to stay for a day in the hospital. “I was told by hospital authorities that Abhayachandra Jain will pay a visit and enquire about our health. I have been asked to stay here for a day. He is our MLA and we come under his constituency”, Mr. Shekhar said.
This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.
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