Monsoon Deluge Causes Fatal Landslide in Thirthahalli, Rescue Teams Respond

Continuous heavy showers over the Malnad hills of Karnataka on 2 August resulted in a catastrophic landslide at Indira Nagar, Thirthahalli taluk, Shivamogga district. A temporary dwelling used by a labourer family collapsed under the weight of mud and rocks. The victims, identified as 30‑year‑old Mallikarjun, his 27‑year‑old spouse Nagaveni and their three‑year‑old child Santosh, had arrived from Kakkaragoll village in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district to earn a livelihood. Emergency response units, including the police, fire brigade and medical ambulance, reached the scene within an hour. After several grueling hours of manual digging, the three bodies were recovered. Another worker, Hanumanth, trapped in the rubble, was rescued and transported to Jayachamarajendra Hospital, where he is under treatment. Several other individuals staying in a nearby makeshift hut sustained injuries and were admitted to the same hospital. The landslide adds to a series of monsoon‑related incidents across the Western Ghats, which have also led to the suspension of railway operations between Mangalore and Yeshwanthpur, prompting the deployment of special trains carrying relief material.