Landslide fear in Bhatkal’s Muttalli: Eight families asked to vacate homes due to monsoon threat

Bhatkal: 23 June,2025 (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Amid rising concerns over possible landslides in the Muttalli Gram Panchayat limits of Bhatkal taluk, local authorities have issued notices to eight families residing along the edge of a hill, asking them to relocate to safer areas as a precautionary step during the ongoing monsoon season.

The relocation notice was issued on Thursday by Muttalli Panchayat Development Officer Rajeshwari Chandavar. Officials cited the area's vulnerability to landslides, especially in the wake of continuous rains and warnings from geologists. It may be recalled that in 2022, four people had lost their lives when a house collapsed in the same hilly stretch, highlighting the serious risk posed by the terrain.

In total, 16 houses located in the landslide-prone belt had earlier been identified by the taluk administration. With the fresh warnings, eight more families have now been formally asked to vacate.

On June 16, a team of expert geologists from Bengaluru and Karwar visited the region for a detailed site inspection. As per their assessment, shared through a Geological Survey of India (GSI) report, the area is considered highly unsafe for habitation due to significant risk of landslides. The forecast of heavy rains in the coming days by the Meteorological Department has only heightened the concern.

The issue was also discussed at a pre-monsoon disaster preparedness meeting chaired by Panchayat officials. As a result, residents were requested to shift temporarily to safer locations for the duration of the monsoon. Along with PDO Rajeshwari Chandavar, nodal officer Shravan Kumar, Panchayat president Rajani Naik and other officials were present during the awareness and inspection drive.

However, the move has triggered frustration and anger among local residents, who allege that the administration has not made any proper arrangements for their relocation. “Every year, the officials come with warnings during the rainy season. But where do we go? We’ve built our homes with our hard-earned money,” said one of the affected residents.

Several families questioned the lack of planning and demanded that concrete alternatives be provided before being asked to vacate their homes. “You can’t simply hand us a notice and expect us to abandon our homes without a discussion or a plan in place,” said another local.

Former Panchayat president Sheshagiri Naik, Panchayat member Lakshmi Naik, Village Administrative Officer Shabana Banu, and Panchayat assistant Manju Naik were also present during the officials' visit to the site. Local authorities have assured that efforts are underway to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate the risks during the ongoing monsoon season.