House in Kasaragod damaged after massive rock falls on it, family escapes unhurt

A major disaster was narrowly averted at Nadakal in Chandragiri in Kasaragod district on Wednesday night (July 16, 2025) after a massive boulder rolled down a hillside and crashed onto a house, damaging a portion of it. The family had a narrow escape.

The incident occurred around 8.30 p.m. when a huge rock tumbled down a hill adjacent to the house of Mithesh, an employee at a local tyre shop. The boulder fell on the bedroom. At the time, Mithesh and his mother were sitting outside the house and his wife, C.H. Chaitra, and children had gone to a nearby temple.

A damaged after a massive boulder rolled down a hillside and crashed onto it at Nadakal in Chandragiri in Kasaragod on Wednesday night
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Special Arrangement

Hearing a loud sound, neighbours rushed to the scene. Though a portion of the house was destroyed, no casualties were reported. The loss is estimated at ₹2 lakh.

Soon after the incident, the tahsildar, village officer, and officials from the Collectorate and the local panchayat visited the site to assess the damage.

Official apathy alleged

The family, however, alleged apathy by the authorities. Ms. Chaitra said that two months ago, she had submitted a written complaint to the village officer and other officials concerned on the potential danger posed by loose rocks and overhanging trees on a hill owned by a man named Habib. The complaint explicitly stated the possibility of the massive rock falling onto the house. “Though the village officer visited the place, he left after a few minutes stating that the rock posed no danger,” she alleged. No preventive action was taken despite the complaint, she added.

The National Disaster Response Force team and other officials conducted an inspection at the site and directed the family to relocate to a safer place. The family has decided to move temporarily to their relative’s house.