Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Jan 26: A student of Ujire is stuck under the pile of mud that occurred due to the sudden collapse of the hill on Bangarapalke Badamane Abbi Waterfalls that is at the edge of Kudremukh national park of Malavanthige village.

The tragedy took place on Monday, January 25. Sanath Shetty (21), son of Kashibettu Krishnaiah Vasudeva Shetty of Laila village, second year degree student of SDM College Ujire, is stuck under the pile of mud. His friends Adithya, Sourabh and others, who were at the spot when the landslide occurred escaped with Sourabh receiving minor injuries.

The spot of landslide and Sanath Shetty (inset)

Sanath, who resides in Ujire, had gone to his friend's house in Samse to play cricket on Sunday. He stayed at his friend's house on Sunday and was to return to Ujire after visiting Abbi waterfalls on the afternoon of Monday, January 25.

When he and his three friends were returning after spending time at Abbi falls, they heard the deafening sound of a landslide. When all the four started running, Sanath who was behind everyone got stuck under a huge boulder and pile of mud.

This incident occurred around 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm. The pile of mud and rock is spread over an area of 15 feet. Sanath is stuck under the heap of mud. It is difficult to take any machines to this place.

Parents of Sanath are not aware of the tragedy. They are still expecting their son to return home.

Locals had warned the local administration to prohibit tourists from visiting waterfalls of Mittabagilu, Malavanthige that are located on the edge of Beltangady national park, Ermayi, Bolle, Kadamagundi and Bandaje under the limits of Kadirudyavara gram panchayat limits as frequent hill collapses are occurring for the past two years. However, many tourists enter these falls without the permission of the administration and become victims of incidents like this.