Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Aug 6: Days of relentless monsoon rain have pushed parts of Karnataka's Udupi district to the brink of a potential disaster, with a massive hillside in Karkala taluk showing signs of imminent collapse and forcing authorities to advise families living below it to evacuate.
The alarming situation has unfolded in the Hedme area of Renjala village, where incessant rain over the past week has destabilised a hillside spread across nearly two acres.
Deep cracks have appeared across the slope, while loose earth, boulders and uprooted trees have been steadily sliding downhill, fuelling fears that the entire hill could give way without warning.
The landslide activity reportedly began near the residence of Hariprasad in Hedme. Since then, residents have watched with growing anxiety as the ground has continued to shift, transforming what was once a stable hillside into a dangerous zone.
The gravity of the situation became evident after overnight torrential rain, when villagers awoke to discover that a huge boulder had crashed down the hillside. Since then, the unsettling sounds of rocks and soil slipping from above have become an almost constant reminder of the threat looming over the community.
People living in the affected area say they rush out of their homes every time they hear the hillside rumble, fearing that the next movement could trigger a catastrophic collapse. Many families have already begun moving important documents, household belongings and livestock to safer locations as a precaution.
The unstable hillside poses a direct threat to three houses situated at its base. Following an inspection of the site by the Tahsildar and other district administration officials, authorities directed the occupants of the vulnerable homes to relocate immediately as a precautionary measure.
While residents acknowledge the need for evacuation, many have criticised the absence of proper rehabilitation arrangements.
"They are asking us to leave our homes. But where are we supposed to go? Where can we find shelter with our children?" affected families asked, expressing frustration over the lack of alternative accommodation and basic facilities.
The uncertainty has left the entire neighbourhood on edge, with villagers fearing that continued rainfall could trigger a full-scale landslide.
According to local residents, if the heavy rain persists, the disaster could mirror last year's catastrophic landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, which claimed hundreds of lives and devastated entire communities.
Residents have urged the district administration to immediately conduct a comprehensive technical survey of the hillside, scientifically identify the full extent of the danger zone and ensure that all vulnerable families are relocated to safe locations before the situation deteriorates further.
They have also demanded proper rehabilitation, temporary housing, financial assistance and other essential relief measures for those likely to be displaced by the looming disaster.
For now, every fresh spell of rain is deepening anxiety in Hedme. Every crack in the hillside and every sound of falling rocks serves as a chilling reminder that the village may be only moments away from a major landslide. As the monsoon continues to lash the region, residents are anxiously waiting to see how swiftly the district administration responds to what they describe as a clear warning from nature before it is too late.