Cracks emerge on MIA retaining wall post Mangaluru floods

Team Udayavani, Jun 6, 2018, 2:46 PM IST

Mangaluru: The cracks that have emerged on massive retaining wall on the outskirts of Mangaluru International Airport has terrified the villagers living along the lower parts of this structure. But, it will not neither affect the runway nor the movement of airplanes, clarified the airport officials.

The cracks on the retaining wall have resulted due to the force of the continuous flow of the rain water from the runway during the incident of last week’s heavy rainfall. There is a possibility that another heavy rain might collapse the structure. The engineers of the airport have investigated the location and have come forth to repair it.

8 houses of the Kolambe Vittlabettu village in Kandavara G.P. which lies on the lower portion of the hill near the cracked structure, sustained severe damage due to the force of the water flowing downhill from the runway. A mud road here has faced complete destruction.

The 20 meters high and 150 meters wide retaining wall along the runway at Vittlabettu was constructed many years back. Since the soil over here is geologically prone to landslides, this retaining wall was constructed to prevent such an incident. But, as the ground is slanting downwards here, the rainwater tends to flow downhill here. Last year too, due to the overflow of rainwater the road connectin Kolambe G.P. suffered damage. Normally the airplanes land from the direction of Kenjar and Kolambe, and the presently cracked retaining wall is also along this direction.

The water falls down in full force from a big height, flows along the hill for about 100 meters before reaching the Vittlabettu tar road. From there the water flowed downhill about 500 meters to the mud road in front of Shree Janardana temple and destroyed it and further caused severe damage to the houses belonging to Shivram Kulal, Vasu Kulal, Devappa Kulal, Sitaram Shetty, Balehittluvina Devappa Poojary, Taranath and Leelavathi here.

Two wells disabled!

Two wells that provided water to 10 households in Vittlabettu have been completely disabled after being buried stone, mud and sand. Such is also the story of the 60 feet deep well in the fields of Balakrishna Bhandary of Hosamane. The fields have also been destroyed and buried under the crashing loads of mud.  

The road itself is the drain!

A private mud road was created 8 years ago for the use of the 8 houses in front of Shree Janardana Temple. But, the heavy rains have successfully converted this road into a massive drain. The force of water flowing down from the retaining wall has ripped off 100 meters of hill along with it. More than 20 trees and plants have been destroyed. Due to this mess up, the villagers of the nearby village are living in fear, says T.P. member Vishwanath Shetty.

“The issue was discussed with the airport authority officials at a meeting. Direction has already been given to repair the road. On Thursday, the spot will be visited, investigated and a permanent solution will be provided. Steps will be taken to provide relief to the damaged houses, after conducting discussions with the relevant officials,” said MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

“The localities have submitted complaints to the airport officials on the damage caused to the houses and road by the rain; the officials say it’s not their mistake. Will visit the spot with the MP on Thursday and take further steps,” said Mangaluru North MLA Dr. Bharat Shetty.

PM Tweeted

The localities have tweeted the Prime Minister about the incident on 8 houses suffering severe damage due to floods. Lohit K.S.Pinto, in his tweet, has given call for immediate assistance to the affected.

8 loads of mud in the yard

The sudden heavy rainwater has brought up to 8 loads on mud onto the yard of Shivram Kulal. On June 25^th is Shivram’s daughters wedding and the preparation are going in full steam. Now, after the distruction of the road, vehicle service cannot be availed to remove the dumped mud. Due to the force of the impact of the mud, the old house next to Shivram’s house has been completely destroyed.