Mangalore, August 6: The coastal areas of Karnataka received good rains in the last four days, throwing normal life out of gear.
The movement of vehicles on National Highway-234 linking Mangalore and Kadur was disrupted on Sunday, following a landslide at the Charmadi Ghat.
The landslide occurred in the evening at Jappelpade, some two-kilo metres outside the district border of Dakshina Kannada following heavy rains. The incident led to heavy traffic jam in the Ghat.
Vehicles were diverted via Mudigere hand post - Janapura - Hanbal - Anne Mahal to join Bangalore-Mangalore NH 75. Many vehicles bound for Chikmagalur from Dharmasthala had to return
An auto-rickshaw fell into a ditch, 15 feet below the spot where the landslide occurred.
Two autorickshaw drivers, who had stopped on the road to cut a fallen tree, were injured when a portion of mound collapsed on them, said Azman, a local resident.
“It is raining heavily here and people fear that the rest of the mound may also collapse,” he said.
Police said efforts were on to open the road for traffic as soon as possible. NH Sakleshpur sub-division officials have pressed earth excavator machines to clear the debris.
Locals expressed fear that continuous rainfall in the Ghat could hamper restoration work.
However, there has been no other major damage to life or property. The inflow into several reservoirs has increased due to the downpours.
