Farmer Dies After Roof Collapse Near Pallikonda Town in Vellore
Vellore: In a tragic incident, a 47-year-old farmer lost his life after a portion of the plastering on the roof of his house collapsed at Odiyathur village near Pallikonda town in Vellore district during the early hours of Saturday.
The deceased has been identified as V. Udayakumar, a farmer by profession. He lived with his wife and two children in a house that was reportedly several decades old. According to police, Udayakumar and his family were asleep in a small room when a section of the ceiling plaster came crashing down at around 1 a.m.
While Udayakumar sustained fatal injuries, his wife and children escaped with minor injuries. Alarmed by the cries for help, neighbours and relatives rushed to the scene and helped shift the injured to the Government Medical College Hospital in Vellore, where doctors declared Udayakumar “brought dead.”
Preliminary police investigation suggests that heavy rain and strong winds could have weakened the structure of the house, leading to the collapse. The Pallikonda police visited the site and registered a case. Further investigation is ongoing.
The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of aging rural homes, especially with the arrival of monsoon. Local authorities are likely to conduct safety inspections in surrounding areas to prevent further accidents.
Final Thoughts
This heartbreaking incident underscores the vulnerability of rural populations living in aging and poorly maintained structures. With the monsoon intensifying across Tamil Nadu, it becomes essential for local administrations to proactively assess and repair unsafe homes. Public awareness campaigns and community-driven vigilance may help avoid similar tragedies in the future.