Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Jul 11: Landslides have occurred on four main ghat sections roads that connect the coastal region to the plains of Karnataka.
Traffic is completely stalled on Agumbe ghat which is a national highway that connects Shivamogga with Udupi. Hill collapses have occurred on Shiradi Ghat stretch that lies on NH 75 and Sampaje Ghat on Mani-Mysuru NH 275.
A tree has fallen on Villupura-Mangaluru NH 73 Charmadi ghat which is an alternative route to Shiradi Ghat.
A hill collapsed on the morning of Sunday on the 4th and 10th bends of Agumbe Ghat. Traffic is prohibited on this route now. JCB machines are being used to clear the heap of mud. As Agumbe ghat is closed, all vehicles are passing through Mala Ghat which has caused a traffic congestion. On this ghat also minor hill collapses have been reported.
A landslide occurred at Donigal of Shiradi Ghat. Last year also a landslide occurred at the same spot and vehicular movement was stopped for one month. The National Highway Authority is placing sandbags on the collapsed area to prevent further collapse.
A wall collapsed again near Monnangeri of Madikeri on the Madikeri-Mangaluru national highway. A tree fell on the 8th bend of Charmadi Ghat on Sunday morning and traffic was affected for one hour.
As vehicular movement is prohibited on Agumbe ghat, motorists are plying by two alternative routes. In order to reach Udupi, Karkala and Hebri, commuters have to use Theerthahalli-Eduru Mastikatte-Hulikal ghat-Hosangadi-Siddapura-Halady route. From Sringeri, commuters can use the Nemmar Kerekatte-S K Border-Malaghat route to reach Udupi and Karkala.