Landslides leave many stuck on Charmadi Ghat; Road closed till June 14
Chikkamagaluru/Mangaluru/Shivamogga: People travelling between Mangaluru and Bengaluru via Charmadi Ghat (NH 234) had a harrowing experience on Monday night after they were stranded in traffic jams triggered by landslides in the middle of the ghat section.
The massive landslides that hit Charmadi Ghat after heavy rain affected traffic on the stretch. The debris was cleared only on Tuesday afternoon. Landslides at nine locations of the ghat left more than 3,000 passengers and around 500 vehicles stranded for hours. Women and children were the worst affected.
Fearing further landslides, and to repair the road, the movement of vehicles on Charmadi Ghat has been prohibited till June 14, said Chikkamagaluru SP K Annamalai.
Road-clearing operations were slow and arduous, as work to clear slush and trees at one end was hit by landslides at the other side of the highway.
Vehicles including cars, jeeps, buses, lorries, trucks remained stranded for several kilometres on either side of the stretch.
The major landslide occurred a few metres away from the medicinal plant nursery on Charmadi Ghat. According to DK SP Ravikanthe Gowda, more than 1,500 passengers from Belthangady side remained stranded in more than 210 four-wheelers and other vehicles since Monday night. Social workers and police made arrangements to supply water and refreshments to children, senior citizens and diabetics.
A few passengers suffering from fever and gastritis were given medicines. Two persons who fell sick were rushed to Belthangady hospital in an ambulance.
Earth-movers were pressed into service, but rainwater gushing on to the road affected relief work. Trees were uprooted at 13 locations from Chikkamagaluru side.
Landslide at Thirthahalli
Vehicular movement on Shivamogga-Thirthahalli stretch of NH13 was disrupted following a landslide near Bharathipura, around 6 km from Thirthahalli town, on Tuesday.
The Malnad region witnessed landslides following incessant rain in the last two days.
The Shilpakala Sangama Kendra at Kuruvalli in the town was damaged in the landslide. Sculptor Jagadish escaped unhurt.
