Landslides on Shiradi Ghat affect traffic, families living in fear

HASSAN: Incessant rain has affected normal life in the Malnad region of the district. Traffic movement was also affected due to landslides and the ongoing four-laning work on the highway along Shiradi Ghat.

Incessant rain was witnessed in Sakleshpur, Alur, Belur and Hassan. On Monday, a landslip occurred near the Arehalli gas godown on the Belur-Sakleshpur state highway in Sakleshpur town, bringing down some trees. If the situation continues, traffic is likely to be stopped on this route.

A landslide also occurred on National Highway-75 near Anemahal in Sakleshpur taluk where four-laning work is in progress. Parliament member Shreyas Patel rushed to the spot and instructed the officials and police to make arrangements for traffic flow.

Near Doddatappalu, a huge crater had formed on the National Highway-75, connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru, affecting traffic. Officials deployed excavators and bulldozers to fill up the crater to allow for traffic flow.

Meanwhile, some families are living in fear as landslides due to ongoing road work puts them at risk. While some families residing close to the road were shifted out, some others have not been compensated.

The landslides are appearing close to houses and the families are living in fear. They have appealed to the district administration to be relocated, but there has been no official response, they said.