Landslides hit road, rail traffic

Landslides brought miseries at many places in the Karnakata on Tuesday. Heavy downpours accompanied by high-intensity winds uprooted several trees resulting in multiple landslides in Sakleshpur taluk of Hassan district. This disrupted road and rail traffic, especially between Bengaluru and Mangaluru.

Rail services had to be suspended due to small landslides at various places on the Sakleshpur-Subramanya stretch of the railway network.

Passengers of two KSRTC (state-operated) buses had a close shave as soil caved in on the buses near Maranahalli in Hassan District. Passengers had a lucky escape as a few uprooted trees had fallen on the edge of a cliff, which prevented the buses from rolling down. As rumours spread that the buses had fallen off the edge of the road, five ambulances were pressed into service to help those who could have been affected.

Shiradi Ghat

Vehicular traffic on the Shiradi Ghat came to a standstill on Monday night due to multiple landslides on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru highway. Boulders and landslips were reported from three places. A huge boulder and soil caved in on the railway track between Subramanya and Sakleshpur. The railway personnel are clearing the debris. Rail traffic has been suspended for two more days or till further notice.

Following heavy rains and landslides on the Thirthahalli-Kundapura Road, vehicular movement was also suspended on the Agumbe Ghat road that connects Shivamogga with Udupi district.