Landslides hit road clearance in Charmadi

The road clearing operations on the Charmadi Ghat stretch continued on Wednesday. The loose soil had caved in at five more locations on the Ghat, following heavy rainfall.

Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), forest, police and revenue departments carried out the work on clearing the stretch. Forest officials cleared a few trees that were on the verge of being uprooted.

The NHAI staff cleared the soil on the road. Labourers are engaged in laying stormwater drains for the free flow of rainwater. A team of NHaI officials led by chief engineer Raghavan visited Charmadi Ghat and assessed the situation.

Speaking to media persons, Raghavan said, “there are possibilities of further caving in of the hillock following heavy rainfall. As Shiradi Ghat is closed for traffic, the repair work on Charmadi Ghat will be expedited to ensure the free flow of vehicles. A proposal on the repair work will be submitted to the government. After the Shiradi Ghat is thrown open for vehicles, the repair work on Charmadi Ghat will be taken up.”

“Seven excavators, five tippers and three earth movers have been pressed into service to clear the debris on the road. Already, the soil has been cleared from 15 locations. Soil caved in at a few more locations on Tuesday night. Incessant rainfall is hampering the relief work. The work is likely to be completed by Thursday evening,” sources told DH.

The movement of vehicles has been completely banned on the Charmadi Ghat stretch. The police have placed barricades to prevent the entry of vehicles. All the vehicles from Mudigere to Mangaluru are travelling via Kalasa-Kudremukh-Dakshina Kannada border.