LANDSLIDE CLAIMS SIX LIVES;

MADIKERI July 4, 2006

In a major landslide at Madikeri six of two families perished along with their house under mud.

Two houses slid down from around four hundred feet in a midnight calamity at Murnad road, three kilometers from here.

House wife Manju, 27, her children Manu,9 and baby Mallige, 3 of a family belonging to Shivanna breathed their last, unaware of the calamity during their sleep. Shivanna was saved as he was admitted to hospital, few days ago due to illness.

Another family of Ramesh ; wife radha,37 , daughter Jyothi, 13 and son Abhishek, 12 living in a separate house were also buried.

As the fate would have it, Pallavi the thirteen year old daughter of Radha , Pallavi was thrown three hundred feet down along with the mud and yet survived. Her neighbor whose house was partially damaged found her in a running stream and shifted her to hospital after midnight.

According to residents living in the area, a person by name Joshi was building houses and cottages on top of the hill and he was dumping the mud recklessly. The residents had been requesting him to stop throwing mud and shift it. As he was reluctant, a police complaint was also lodged according to the residents. However, the mud came down pulling a portion of the hillock along with two families.

The dead bodies were removed till 9 am in the presence of DC,SP and other district level officials. Superintendent of Police Jayaprakash and Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav went to the spot by 4.30 am. Tahasildar somaiah, PWD Executive Engineer Basappa and other officials were also present.

Excavators, lorries and Fire Brigade was used remove mud and locate the bodies.

DC Subodh Yadav stated that rupees fifty thousand for each death would be released to the families immediately and further compensation will also be recommended.

FLOOD SITUATION CONTINUES;

Madikeri July 4, 2006

While the rain fury has decreased a little in Kodagu, the flood situation continues to be the same.

At Bhagamandala, the confluence of rivers kaveri, kannike and Sujyothi continues to be four to five feet above the road. Traffic is still cut while the schools are shut for two days.

Temporary shelter is organized at schools at Manchalli and Kuttas in South Kodagu. River Ramateerta is in spate here and five families are vacated.

A 33 KV power line between Madikeri and Sunticoppa is hit due to falling of trees.

Power line between Hunsur and Ponnampet is also disrupted due to tree fall.

One more autorikshaw was damaged due to tree fall yesterday in the outskirts.

Superintendent of police said that a tusker succumbed to fall, slipping into a gorge in a slippery area at Attur – Nallur forest area near Kushalnagar.