Bhatkal: A stretch of concrete road in Dongarpalli, within the Bhatkal Municipal limits, was washed away following a heavy spell of rain that lashed the town between 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM on Saturday. A deep crater formed at the site, and a bike carrying a couple and their two children fell into it, leaving all four injured.
Rainwater flowing rapidly from elevated areas such as Makhdoom Colony usually passes through Dongarpalli to reach the Sarabi River. However, the drainage system in the area was choked with garbage, preventing the water from flowing freely. This resulted in intense water pressure washing away nearly 50 meters of the paved road, turning it into a deep pit.
Fortunately, Bava Ameer, a member of the Moon Star Sports Centre who lives nearby, heard the cries and screams of the children and rushed to the scene. He bravely jumped into the crater filled with fast-flowing water and rescued the injured family. During the rescue operation, Bava Ameer himself sustained an injury to his leg.
Upon receiving information about the incident, local youths promptly erected barriers to prevent vehicles from using the damaged road. Later, Qaiser Mohtisham, Chairman of the Municipal Standing Committee, and local Councillor Farzana Yunus visited the site and took immediate action. By morning, the crater was temporarily filled with soil to make the road usable again.
Local residents pointed out that the disaster occurred because the drainage path was blocked and the culverts were overflowing with waste. They urged the municipal authorities to urgently clean the drains to ensure proper water flow and prevent similar incidents in the future.
