Residents shifted to relief centre as reclining wall along NH 275 in Madikeri develops cracks

Madikeri: Panic prevailed as a reclining wall along the Mani-Bengaluru National Highway 275 connecting Madikeri and Mangaluru developed cracks on Thursday.

A total of 10 members from four of the five families residing near the wall, which is one-and-a-half km from Madikeri, have been shifted to a relief centre. The members of one of the families refused to relocate.

Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja inspected the site.

Owing to heavy rains, a mudslide took place in the region in 2018-19, following which a huge reclining wall was built. Another protective wall was built in 2022. The larger reclining wall is unaffected. However, the protective wall which was built to support the larger wall, has developed cracks. The repair works will begin on Friday. There is no need to fear, National Highway Executive Engineer G H Girish said.

The intensity of rains and gusty winds reduced in
the district on Thursday.

A rainfall of 6 cm was recorded in Sampaje, 4 cm in Shanthalli, 3 cm in Madikeri and 2.4 cm in Bhagamandala.

Power supply was lost in the Paka-Kolagadalu village in the Cherambane-Benguru Gram Panchayat limits for the past 10 days. The villagers have warned of boycotting all the upcoming elections, if the power supply was not restored soon.