Houses in vulnerable areas to be identified: Revenue min

Mangaluru: Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed all gram panchayats to conduct a survey of houses located in vulnerable areas. This directive follows his visit to Madani Nagar near Kuthar in Ullal, where four members of a family died after a retaining wall of their neighbour’s house collapsed on Wednesday.During his visit, he stated that every gram panchayat should undertake this exercise. Once vulnerable houses are identified, the district administration must ensure that no one resides in such houses during the monsoon, especially when it rains heavily. He directed the revenue department to conduct the survey immediately, and to raise awareness among people living in such areas, providing them with alternative arrangements as soon as possible, when it rains heavily. In Dakshina Kannada district alone, there are several instances of houses built on slopes. In some places, there is no space to build a retaining wall, the minister observed.“This unfortunate incident has pained the government too. Only one daughter from the entire family has survived. Deputy commissioner Mulai Muhilan MP will provide appropriate compensation under the guidance of assembly speaker UT Khader as soon as possible. Chief minister Siddaramaiah has also condoled the deaths, and asked me to visit the spot to ensure all possible assistance. The CM has directed that efforts should be made to prevent such incidents in the future,” Gowda said.The minister said the incident occurred while the family was asleep, and was reported around 3 am. It has been raining heavily since evening. Gowda said, “We cannot prevent natural disasters. However, this is a slopy area where hills have been cut to build houses and retaining walls. This is a serious issue, and even now, people continue to build houses by cutting hills. Due to the shortage of space, it is inevitable for people, however, preventive measures should be taken.”Power disconnectedLocals present at the spot, said that that those who entered the house immediately after the incident, experienced minor electric shocks, prompting a local electrician to disconnect the power line to the house. Friends of the victims, Riyana and Rifana, were inconsolable and in a state of shock, as they had been in daily contact with each other. Some locals alleged that a portion of the retaining wall and the house wall had collapsed a year ago, and the administration had provided compensation. Yasir had renovated the house with the compensation amount and an additional loan, they said.