Every monsoon, the same question arises: Who will take responsibility?

Mangaluru,

Mangaluru is no stranger to heavy rainfall. The city has lived with the monsoon for generations, yet every year the same story unfolds - waterlogged roads, flooded homes, traffic chaos, landslides, collapsing retaining walls and most tragically, loss of human lives. This year's devastating compound wall collapse that claimed three lives has once again raised uncomfortable questions about preparedness, planning and accountability. As incessant rain continued to lash Dakshina Kannada, the district ad ministration declared a holiday tomorrow for all anganwadis, government and private schools, and PU colleges up to II PUC as a precautionary measure.

While such decisions are necessary to safeguard students, they also underline the severity of the situation and the recurring vulnerability of the region during every monsoon. The question is no longer whether Mangaluru receives heavy rain. It always has. The real question is why the city continues to suffer despite years of experience and repeated warnings. According to a senior political functionary, temporary measures are no longer sufficient.

"The administration must intro duce long-term solutions through stricter housing compliance norms, mandatory structural audits for ageing buildings and retaining walls and periodic safety inspections in vulnerable locations," he said. Urban growth can not continue without giving equal importance to safety. Experts also point out the need for clear regulations governing construction near landslide-prone areas. In hill stations such as Madikeri, authorities routinely issue evacuation advisories for residents living in high-risk zones whenever rainfall intensifies.

Similar scientific mapping, warning systems and safety protocols should be adopted in vulnerable pockets of Dakshina Kannada, particularly where habitation has expanded into unstable terrain. However, responsibility does not rest with the administration alone. A senior volunteer associated with the district disaster management team believes citizens also have an equally important role. "People often blame the government after every tragedy. But homeowners and builders must follow approved plans and construction norms. Authorities cannot physically inspect every house. In many incidents, building violations and unsafe construction practices are among the major reasons for such disasters," he observed.

The city's drainage infrastructure also deserves urgent attention. Waterlogging continues in several parts of Mangaluru despite repeated pre monsoon preparedness drives. Blocked storm water drains, encroachments on natural water channels and unplanned urban development have significantly reduced the city's ability to cope with intense rainfall. Climate experts have repeatedly warned that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. While rainfall may be increasing, the impact can be substantially reduced through better planning, strict enforcement of building regulations, regular maintenance of drainage systems and greater public awareness.

Every monsoon should not become a season of mourning. Heavy rain is a natural phenomenon; preventable deaths are not. Unless governments, local bodies, engineers, builders and citizens work together to address the root causes, Mangaluru will continue to witness the same headlines, the same devastation and the same unanswered question every rainy season - who is really responsible?