Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, June 15: Heavy rainfall over the past two days has caused widespread disruption across Bantwal taluk, with reports of landslides, damaged houses, uprooted trees, flooded buildings, and power outages emerging from several areas. The downpour has left multiple families displaced, public infrastructure damaged, and key roads temporarily inaccessible.

According to the taluk Tahsildar’s office, a landslide struck Pambadgadde in Arala village, causing mud to collapse onto the house of Dinakar P, damaging its wall. The resident was safely relocated to a nearby home.

In Kariyangala village, a landslide struck the cattle shed of Punchami Sarojini, completely demolishing the structure. Ten cows sustained minor injuries in the incident.

At Aalampuri in Kavalapaduru, the compound wall and front yard well of Revathi Ramesh Ganiga’s home collapsed due to the continuous downpour. The family was moved to a relative’s house for safety.

In Vittal, part of a slope behind the local ITI College caved in, placing the campus on alert. Similarly, in Amtadi village, a landslide blocked the vital link road between Bambil and Thalembila, which falls under the village panchayat’s jurisdiction.

In another incident, the retaining wall of Shantha’s house in Kariyangala gave way, while in Meginamane (Kadabettu), an arecanut tree crashed onto the house of Richard D’Souza, damaging the structure.

Flooding and structural damage near National Highway

At Balthila near Surikumeru along the National Highway, unoccupied residential buildings and occupied commercial complexes were inundated. Despite informing the private construction firm involved in the highway development, no action was taken to mitigate the flooding, locals alleged.

As a result, electric poles, agricultural fields, and buildings sustained damage, causing prolonged power cuts in the vicinity. Locals blamed the KNRC company, which is handling the highway work, for creating poor drainage and water stagnation, resulting in the submergence of properties. Revenue official Vijay visited the site and assured temporary relief measures.

Power infrastructure damaged across taluk

In various parts of Bantwal, trees were uprooted onto electric poles, severely disrupting power supply. Mescom personnel have been working relentlessly in challenging weather to restore services.

Vittal region suffers road collapse and power cuts

In Vittal-Salethur, a major landslide occurred late Saturday night at a sharp bend near Kadumatha Alligande, cutting off vehicular movement and damaging power lines. Fallen trees brought down electric poles, further worsening the power outage.

Fire brigade, Mescom staff, and Vittal police rushed to the spot during the night and initiated emergency clearance. On Sunday, the Vittal Revenue Inspector, along with the Kolnadu Village Administrative Officer and Salethur Mescom officials, worked all day in rain and strong winds to clear the road and restore access.

Local volunteers also joined hands with the authorities to speed up recovery efforts.