Shivamogga landslide kills 3 of family, including toddler, in Thirthahalli
Synopsis
A migrant labourer family of three — including a toddler — was buried alive in their shed at Thirthahalli, Shivamogga, when a hillside gave way at 2:30 am on 2 August. The deaths underscore the acute vulnerability of seasonal workers sheltering in makeshift structures across Karnataka's landslide-prone Malnad belt during peak monsoon.
Key Takeaways
Mallikarjuna (30), Nagaveni (27), and their 3-year-old son Santhosh were killed in a landslide at Thirthahalli taluk , Shivamogga , at around 2:30 am on 2 August .
The family were migrant labourers from Kakkaragol village , Koppal district , working in the Thirthahalli area.
A fourth labourer, Hanumantha , was rescued after a rock pinned his leg and is being treated at Jayachamarajendra Hospital .
A separate landslide on the Yedakumari–Shrivagilu railway stretch forced cancellation of Mangaluru–Yeshwantpur train services on Sunday.
Authorities have urged residents in landslide-prone areas of the Malnad region to remain on high alert as heavy rainfall continues.
Three members of a family — including a three-year-old child — were killed after a rain-triggered landslide buried their makeshift shed in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district, Karnataka, in the early hours of Sunday, 2 August. The tragedy unfolded at approximately 2:30 am as relentless monsoon downpours lashed the Malnad region, sending a torrent of mud and boulders crashing onto the structure where the family lay asleep after a day of labour.
Who the Victims Were
The deceased have been identified as Mallikarjuna (30), his wife Nagaveni (27), and their young son Santhosh (3). The family had migrated from Kakkaragol village in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district to work as daily-wage labourers in the Thirthahalli area — a pattern common among seasonal workers who move into Karnataka's hilly Malnad belt during agricultural and plantation seasons.
Rescue Operations and the Injured
A fourth labourer, Hanumantha, was trapped when a large rock pinned his leg. Fire and Emergency Services personnel rescued him from the debris and shifted him to Jayachamarajendra Hospital in Thirthahalli, where he is reportedly receiving treatment. Residents of a nearby shed also sustained injuries and were hospitalised, according to officials.
Police and fire teams launched a rescue operation immediately after the incident was reported. Workers spent several hours clearing debris before recovering the bodies of all three victims. The incident falls under the jurisdiction of Thirthahalli Police Station.
Wider Disruption Across the Western Ghats
The Shivamogga tragedy is part of a broader monsoon crisis gripping the Western Ghats. A separate landslide on the railway track between Yedakumari and Shrivagilu stations on Saturday night forced authorities to cancel train services between Mangaluru and Yeshwantpur on Sunday. A relief material train reached the affected site to support restoration work, and dedicated teams have been deployed for track clearance.
This comes amid a series of monsoon-related fatalities in the region. On 1 July, three people — including a woman and two young girls — were killed when a landslide collapsed their house at Kankanady Nagori in Mangaluru. Three others were rescued from that debris by local residents and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel.
Authorities Urge Caution
District authorities are assessing the cumulative impact of continuous rainfall across Shivamogga and surrounding areas. Officials have urged residents in landslide-prone zones to remain on high alert and to heed evacuation advisories. The Malnad belt, with its steep terrain and heavy annual rainfall, is among the most landslide-vulnerable stretches in peninsular India.
With the monsoon still at its peak, more rainfall is forecast for the region in the coming days, raising concerns about further displacement and infrastructure damage.
Point of View
Yet the cycle of tragedy and reactive response continues. The real question is whether district administrations have mapped informal labourer settlements in high-risk zones and whether evacuation protocols reach people who have no fixed address and no political constituency to advocate for them.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Shivamogga landslide on 2 August?
A rain-triggered landslide buried a makeshift shed in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district at around 2:30 am on 2 August, killing three members of a migrant labourer family — Mallikarjuna (30), Nagaveni (27), and their 3-year-old son Santhosh. A fourth labourer was rescued and hospitalised.
Who were the victims of the Thirthahalli landslide?
The victims were Mallikarjuna (30), his wife Nagaveni (27), and their young son Santhosh (3). They had come from Kakkaragol village in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district to work as daily-wage labourers in the Thirthahalli area.
What is the condition of the injured survivor?
Hanumantha, a fellow labourer who was trapped when a rock pinned his leg, was rescued by Fire and Emergency Services personnel. He is undergoing treatment at Jayachamarajendra Hospital in Thirthahalli and is reportedly receiving appropriate medical care.
How has the monsoon affected train services in the region?
A landslide on the railway track between Yedakumari and Shrivagilu stations on Saturday night forced the cancellation of train services between Mangaluru and Yeshwantpur on Sunday. Restoration teams and a relief material train have been deployed at the affected site.
Is this the first major landslide in Karnataka this monsoon season?
No. On 1 July, three people were killed when a landslide collapsed a house at Kankanady Nagori in Mangaluru. Three others were rescued from that debris by local residents and NDRF personnel. The Malnad and Western Ghats belt has seen multiple landslide incidents this monsoon season.
