Mangaluru MLA Vedavyas Kamath inspects damage from a landslide at Sundari Apartments in Kadri Shivabhag, urges immediate action and criticizes Congress government for cutting disaster relief.
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Mangaluru Landslide Triggers Housing Crisis: MLA Vedavyas Kamath Calls for Urgent Action, Slams Congress Over Relief Cuts
Location: Kadri Shivabhag, Mangaluru
A Rain-Soaked Tragedy in the Heart of Mangaluru
Mangaluru, June 17, 2025 — In the aftermath of relentless monsoon rains, a large section of a hill behind Sundari Apartments in Kadri Shivabhag gave way on Tuesday, triggering a landslide that left two homes severely damaged and several families shaken. While no fatalities were reported, the structural impact and psychological toll have left the community reeling.
The collapse of a retaining wall—once meant to fortify the slope—has now exposed a deeper issue plaguing the city’s infrastructure during monsoons: inadequate disaster readiness and alleged negligence in preventive maintenance.
Mangaluru Landslide: Vedavyas Kamath Inspects Damage, Seeks Relief for Victims
Immediate Inspection by MLA Kamath
Local BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamath rushed to the site hours after the collapse to inspect the damage and interact with affected residents. The inspection, held under grey skies and amid debris, was a somber affair, reflecting both the anger and helplessness of locals who had repeatedly warned about the structural risks posed by the hill.
“This isn’t just about a wall—it’s about lives at stake,” Kamath told reporters. “Two homes were badly hit, and if not for sheer luck, we could be mourning lives today.”
He pointed out that several trees, now dangerously poised along the landslide’s edge, were at risk of falling. Instructions have been given to local authorities for immediate removal to prevent further hazards.
From Rs 5 Lakh Relief to Zero: Kamath Slams Congress
Kamath used the opportunity to criticize the state Congress government, claiming that it had slashed or discontinued compensation packages that were once a lifeline for disaster victims during BJP’s tenure.
“Earlier, under our government, those affected by such calamities would receive compensation of up to ₹5 lakh. We even sanctioned ₹35 crore in special grants for repairs in this region alone—including retaining walls,” he asserted.
“Now, that support is gone. People are left alone to battle nature and bureaucracy.”
The MLA demanded the Congress-led administration to restore emergency funds and conduct a survey-based disbursal of compensation to the victims without political bias.
The Scene at Sundari Apartments: A Ground Report
Residents of Sundari Apartments, visibly distressed, narrated how the loud rumble of shifting earth woke them up in the early hours. “It felt like an earthquake. The entire building shook,” said Kiran Shetty, a resident whose kitchen wall now hangs precariously over the edge.
Apartment representatives, including office bearers and maintenance staff, presented a dossier of past complaints filed about soil erosion and weakening structures. “No one took us seriously,” a staff member said, pointing at the exposed hilltop.
Political and Public Solidarity
The visit wasn’t just symbolic. Alongside MLA Kamath were former municipal corporator Kavya Nataraj Alva, and BJP leaders Naveen Shenoy, Padmanabha Nayak, Yogish Shenoy, and Kiran Rai. They engaged with residents, surveyed the damage, and promised to submit an urgent appeal to the Karnataka Chief Minister’s office.
Local BJP cadre have also initiated a crowd-funded support program for immediate repairs and temporary relocation for those affected.
A Pattern of Collapse or a One-Off?
This isn’t the first time Mangaluru has faced infrastructural fallout from intense rains. In the past five years, several areas—including Kulshekar, Bejai, and Jeppu—have reported similar wall collapses and flooding. Critics argue that urban expansion without environmental foresight is setting the city up for repeated disasters.
"Mangaluru is expanding fast, but the backbone—drainage, slope fortification, and zoning rules—haven’t kept up," says urban planner Dr. Latha Bhandary from NITK Surathkal.
The Road Ahead: Immediate and Long-Term Solutions
In the short term, residents demand:
Emergency shelter for those displaced
Geotechnical inspection of the entire hill stretch
Municipal accountability for ignoring erosion warnings
In the long term, experts urge the revival of slope stabilization schemes, stricter zoning laws in hilly areas, and allocation of ward-level disaster response budgets.
Final Word: A Call for Compassion and Action
The landslide behind Sundari Apartments is a warning bell—not just for Mangaluru, but for every growing city grappling with climate extremes and neglected infrastructure.
While the visit by MLA Kamath has brought temporary hope, the residents' real test begins now: navigating insurance claims, contractor disputes, and a state administration that, according to them, hasn’t shown up.
As the monsoon strengthens, will Mangaluru act before the next hill gives way? That answer may shape not just the safety of homes, but the credibility of governance.
