Bengaluru, May 31: Heavy monsoon showers and resulting landslides have started wreaking havoc in parts of Karnataka, with tragic consequences in Dakshina Kannada district on Friday. In a house collapse triggered by a landslide, two people lost their lives, while two others were rescued in a joint operation by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state emergency services.
Joint Rescue Operation Saves Two Lives
According to an official statement from the NDRF, a woman and a young boy were successfully pulled out from the debris and rushed to a hospital. Unfortunately, two other individuals were declared dead at the scene after being recovered from the rubble.
The incident was triggered by relentless rainfall, which has been pounding the region over the past several days, leading to flooding and landslide-prone conditions.
Train Services Disrupted in Mangaluru Region
In another rain-related disruption, a large tree fell onto the Mangaluru Central–Shoranur railway line between Central and Netravati cabins, causing delays and halting train movement toward Shoranur. However, services toward Mangaluru Junction continued without significant disruption.
Karnataka Sees Record May Rainfall
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the crisis during a review meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat CEOs, revealing that Karnataka has recorded its highest May rainfall in 125 years.
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28 districts have received above-average rainfall, he noted.
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CM Siddaramaiah has ordered on-ground inspections and immediate disbursal of compensation in affected areas.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also issued a public assurance, stating that the state government is well-prepared to handle the emergency, particularly in flood-prone urban areas like Bengaluru. Authorities have already mapped out vulnerable zones within the capital.
State Steps Up Emergency Readiness
Given the worsening weather, the government has expanded its emergency preparedness protocols, mobilizing disaster response teams and ensuring coordination between NDRF, SDRF, and Fire Services.
Residents in affected areas have been advised to stay alert and avoid landslide-prone slopes and waterlogged zones. Train passengers heading toward Kerala via Shoranur are advised to check for real-time updates from Indian Railways.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.