Landslides continue in Uttara Kannada district, residents demand vehicle ban

KARWAR

The landslides in different areas of Uttara Kannada district continued with a major landslip occurring in Devimane Ghat area, between Kumta and Sirsi towns. Devimane is one of the important ghats that connects Malnad region of Uttara Kannada with the coastal taluks. According to an official release from the Uttara Kannada district administration, the road was cleared on Saturday afternoon. The road widening work is ongoing at Devimane, and the adjacent hills have been cut to expand the road. The district administration banned the movement of heavy vehicles in the area, allowing only light vehicles to ply. However, after the landslip incident, people are demanding a total ban on vehicle movement as landslides could lead to a big disaster. Apart from this, the district administration has identified 91 landslip-prone areas alongside NH-66 and warned people to avoid these areas and not to park vehicles there. There were cases of landslips in Karwar city, and many families were evacuated to safer areas.

“The continuing landslips in Western Ghats have become a cause of worry among people who reside in the foothills for generations. This is a new phenomenon. We have been witnessing this for the last seven - eight years. The indiscriminate destruction of hills is the reason behind it. Every monsoon is proving hell for families like ours,” said Ramesh Naik, whose family moved to a safer place after Thursday's landslide.