Bhatkal: With the arrival of the monsoon, Bhatkal is once again facing recurring issues of landslides and flood threats that have become an annual concern in recent years. This year too, the taluk administration has sounded the alarm by issuing evacuation notices to 78 houses located in vulnerable areas.

According to officials, as many as 14 locations across the taluk have been marked as landslide-prone. These include three spots each in Koppa and Konar; two each in Marukeri, Venkatapur, and Heble-Kukaneer; and one each in Mavinakurve-Talgod and Muttalli. In addition, families residing in Chautani, Heble, Tenginagundi, Puravarga, and along the riverbanks of Shirali are also living under the constant threat of landslides and flooding. The situation has further deteriorated in recent years due to poorly managed national highway construction works, particularly around Shamsuddin Circle, Mankuli, and Ranginkatte, where frequent waterlogging has become a growing concern.

Although notices have been issued, most residents have reportedly refused to relocate, raising serious concerns among authorities about their safety during the peak monsoon season.

Railway sets example in landslide prevention:
In Kadavinakatte, where landslides frequently disrupt Konkan Railway services, the railway department has implemented commendable mitigation measures. The hillside was carefully excavated at a specific angle to prevent soil slippage, and a drainage canal was constructed along the upper slope to divert rainwater before it reached the tracks. Additionally, tarpaulin sheets were laid in some stretches to stabilise the soil.

However, the situation in other affected areas remains troubling. In many places, excavated soil and debris have been left unattended, increasing the risk of erosion and collapse during heavy rains. In fact, in some areas, debris has not been cleared even after more than a year. The tragic landslide in Muttalli three years ago, which claimed four lives, still lingers in public memory.

Despite repeated warnings from the taluk and district administrations, most government action remains limited to issuing notices, with little effort put into long-term safety measures—particularly for people living along hill slopes. Meanwhile, the Department of Mines and Geology, which operates out of the district headquarters, has come under criticism for allegedly functioning under political influence instead of proactively addressing on-ground risks.

Local residents warn that unless there is collective awareness and timely preventive action, entire hillsides may collapse. “There’s no point raising alarms during the monsoon if nothing is done in advance,” remarked one concerned resident.