Seven people, including a family of five, are feared dead after a massive landslide on National Highway in Ankola taluk of Uttar Kannada on Tuesday due to heavy rains.

Locals say that more than seven individuals, including a family who were standing near a roadside shop, got trapped beneath the debris. Rescue operations have been ongoing, with a team from the NDRF arriving at the scene to commence rescue operations. 

The family members, who were running a road-side petty shop on National Highway 66, were suspected to be trapped under mud and soil that plunged down a hill, official sources said.

The landslide also pushed a gas tanker to nearby Gangavali river, the sources said based on preliminary information, adding, the vehicle's driver and cleaner, who were reportedly having tea at the shop at the time of the incident, were missing.

"Rescue work is underway", a police official said.

Heavy rains have been falling for the past two days across the district, causing the landslide that has blocked the road and halted traffic, leaving many people stranded.