On December 1, a devastating landslip in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district claimed the lives of seven individuals, when a massive boulder and mud collapsed onto a house in V.O.C. Nagar following heavy rainfall. The incident has deeply affected the local community, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed his condolences, offering a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased.
The victims were identified as Rajkumar (36), Meena (27), R. Gowtham (9), R. Iniya (7), S. Ramya (7), M. Vinothini (14), and S. Maha (7). Despite a swift rescue operation involving approximately 40 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the tragedy resulted in the loss of lives. The surrounding residents were immediately relocated to community halls for safety, with more than 500 people moved to secure locations.
The landslip occurred in the V.O.C. Nagar area, which lies within the region’s rugged terrain, part of the Annamalai Hills and seven Reserved Forests (RFs), covering over 13,000 hectares. The area is prone to such incidents due to its steep slopes and dense forest coverage. Experts have expressed concerns that more landslides could occur in the coming days, particularly after heavy rains.
A team of retired IIT Chennai professors — Mohan, Narayana Rao, and Bhoominathan — inspected the site at the Chief Minister’s request. They advised caution, stating that although mild to moderate rain would not lead to significant issues, heavier rainfall could trigger further landslides. They also stressed the need for residents who wish to build homes near the hills to ensure safety clearances from qualified engineers before construction.
The experts are compiling a detailed report, which will be submitted to the Tamil Nadu government shortly, recommending necessary measures to prevent further tragedies in the region.
Key Points:
- Seven people died in a landslip in Tiruvannamalai on December 1.
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the victims’ families.
- Over 500 residents were evacuated from the area to safer locations.
- Experts warn of further landslide risks due to ongoing rainfall.
- A report with preventive measures will be submitted to the state government soon.
Sources By Agencies