Landslides along Shiradi, Charmadi Ghats; Vehicular movement restricted after 10-km jam

HASSAN: Some motorists had a lucky escape after a landslide occurred even as vehicles were waiting to move, near Doddatappalu in Sakleshpur taluk on Thursday morning. The landslip occurred on the highway due to overnight rain.

The incident was caught on a mobile camera as vehicles were waiting for the road ahead to clear up. Alert locals immediately signalled to the vehicle drivers to move, thereby preventing any casualties.

Another landslip occurred seconds later.

In another incident near Yettinahalli, a moving car was buried after a landslide on National Highway-75 on Shiradi Ghat. The occupants of the car (KA 17 M 5003) escaped with minor injuries and were shifted to a hospital in Sakleshpur. They were identified as Akhilesh and Sharat, both hailing from Bihar. They are employees of the road construction company.

A car was buried under mud after a landslide. (Right) One of the two injured persons in hospital.

Near Maranahalli, a landslide occurred stretching up to 1 km, but motorists had a lucky escape. However, traffic on the road was affected for some time.

With landslips occurring at several places along Shiradi Ghat, heavy vehicular traffic has been restricted temporarily. Due to the landslip near Doddatapalu, a traffic jam occurred, stretching up to 10 km. The police were stopping vehicles from proceeding further at Kandali in Hassan.

With traffic movement on the Charmadi Ghat also having become dangerous, only KSRTC buses are being allowed up to Sakleshpur. Other vehicles were being turned back after informing the occupants of the landslides. Vehicular traffic is expected to resume after the roads are cleared of all blockades.