Mangaluru: Heavy rain in the Ghat section has resulted in fresh landslides in five places in Charmadi Ghat on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Ghat has been closed by the authorities for two days till June 14 for repair work and to clear the debris. Charmadi Ghat experienced two major landslides on Monday night due to which over 2,000 people were stranded on National Highway 234 at Charmadi Ghat for over 12 hours.
The path was cleared on Tuesday afternoon. However a huge heap of mud, fallen trees and other debris is still blocking Charmadi Ghat. To clear all the debris and trees and to ensure the free flow of vehicles, elected representatives and authorities decided to close the road till Thursday.
On Wednesday morning, barricades were erected at Ujire in Belthangady Taluk, situated in the foothills of Charmadi Ghat, with a diversion signboard. Police personnel were seen diverting vehicles and asking people to take alternate routes through Madikeri or Kalasa to reach places like Bengaluru, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru.
Meanwhile, National Highway Mangaluru Division authorities deployed earthmovers and labourers to clear the debris. "We are clearing the debris. But the Ghat section is experiencing heavy rainfall due to which there were fresh landslides in five places at Charmadi Ghat. We have deployed machines and labourers and are speeding up the work,” National Highway Mangaluru Division Executive Engineer told Deccan Chronicle.
“The road has been closed till Thursday and we want to complete the work by then and ensure free flow of traffic," he said.
With the main road connecting Mangaluru toBengaluru through Shiradi Ghat closed for repair work and Charmadi Ghat closed for two days till Thursday, vehicles are now diverted through Madikeri and Kalasa. People travelling between Mangaluru and Bengaluru are finding it difficult as both the alternate roads are long routes.
