Rain-related deaths: Toll rises to 8 in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi districts
Mangaluru, Jul 7: With the death of a woman in a landslip early Friday, the toll in rain-related mishaps in the twin coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi this week has risen to eight.
A 47-year-old woman was killed when part of a hill caved in on her house at Nandavara village in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. Her 20-year-old daughter was rescued from the debris.
In another incident reported from Udupi district, a bike rider lost his life after a huge tree fell over the vehicle when he was passing through Belman town on the Karkala-Padubidri state highway on Thursday night.
The deceased Praveen Acharya (30) hails from Pilar. The mishap occurred at around 9.30 PM when it was raining heavily. Though the youth was rushed to the hospital, he died on the way, police said.
With this, the number of rain-related deaths in the twin districts has risen to eight during the week, with five deaths reported from DK and three in Udupi, Revenue department officials said.
In another incident, a portion of the underpass which was under construction on National Highway 66 at Kallianpura-Santhekatte junction near Udupi caved in due to incessant rains on Wednesday night, sources said.
Though vehicles are being allowed through the carriage way for now, steps will be taken to divert them through an alternate route if necessary, police said.
Meanwhile, the Forest department has banned trekking in Gadai Kallu in Belthangady taluk, Dakshina Kannada district from Friday as the path leading to the hill has turned slippery.
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Christmas decorations vandalised by VHP activists at school in Nalbari; Tension in area
Nalbari: Tension prevailed in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district on December 24 after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered the premises of St Mary’s School and vandalised materials prepared for Christmas celebrations.
According to local sources, activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal entered the school campus ahead of Christmas and raised slogans inside the premises. It is alleged that Christmas-related decorations and materials kept within the school compound were damaged and set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said that members of the Bajrang Dal were the first to enter the campus, during which they allegedly raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram,” “Jai Hindu Rashtra,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and burnt items prepared for Christmas celebrations. The incident created panic among local residents and led to concerns over law and order in the area. No injuries have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid reports of similar acts in Nalbari town in recent days, where Christmas decorations displayed at several commercial establishments were allegedly set on fire.
Reacting to the incident, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair said on social media that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists entered St Mary’s School on Christmas Eve, raised slogans and destroyed Christmas decorations. His post drew attention to the incident and sparked wider discussion online.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited.
On Christmas Eve, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal goons entered St. Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra.” They destroyed and set fire to all Christmas decorations prepared at the school. pic.twitter.com/LQHV7FWUvz
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 24, 2025
