Mangalore: Lucky escape for two families as house collapses

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Jul 8: An elderly woman sustained minor injuries while six others escaped unhurt after the rear wall and the roof of a house collapsed at Sutarpere near Valencia at around midnight on Sunday July 7.

The injured has been identified as Umavathi (70). Her son Ganesh (35) and daughter Savitha (28) escaped unhurt.

Two portions of the house are given on rent. The family of B Anjaneya (42), his wife Geeta and two children Kodandarama (9) and Keshava (7) who stay in one part of the house also escaped injuries.

Besides, four bachelors stay in another part of the house, but all of them arrived after the incident as they work for a Chinese food outlet until late night.

Ganesh, a painter by profession, told daijiworld that he slept in the front hall while his mother and younger sister slept in the room. “Fortunately, we had covered the roof with tarpaulin and sheets. If not for that, all those tiles and beams would have fallen directly on my mother and sister. When we realized that our house was collapsing, I rushed my mother outside. But before I could take her to safety, the beam and debris fell on her through the sheets on the roof. She was injured while my sister escaped unhurt," he said.

"Meantime, the police who arrived at the spot took my mother to hospital. The linemen disconnected the electricity supply to the house to prevent further damage," Ganesh added.

The family of B Anjaneya stayed in a separate room. “As soon as the house began collapsing, I took my children out. They were in deep sleep. Afterwards, I made them sleep in the neighbour’s house. They have exams today,” Anjaneya said, adding that the neighbours came to their help as soon as they heard the noise.

As the house was completely damaged, a neighbour suggested another rented house at Yekkur where Anjaneya shifted with his family. The family of Umavathi took shelter at a relative''s house.

MLA J R Lobo who visited the spot promised to support the family financially. He also directed the authorities concerned to furnish a report on the extent of damage. Revenue inspectors and village accountant too inspected the spot to ascertain the loss incurred. “The family will receive compensation of Rs 1.5 lac to reconstruct the house under the 22.75% scheme for SC/ST members, and additional compensation for power supply, water and toilet facilities,” said Appi, corporator of the area.