Hassan, August 16 — Torrential rains across the Malnad region have triggered a major landslide on National Highway 75 near Maranahalli, resulting in a complete closure of the Shiradi Ghat section and leaving thousands of vehicles stranded.
The landslide, which followed several days of continuous rainfall, deposited large amounts of soil, uprooted trees, and debris across the highway. Authorities have described the traffic congestion as one of the worst in recent memory, with commuters stuck for hours in remote and difficult terrain.
In response, local police have erected barricades near the affected area and diverted traffic through Charmadi Ghat and other alternative routes. However, persistent rainfall continues to hamper road clearance operations, and officials estimate that it may take several days before normal traffic flow can resume.
The impact of the heavy rains has not been limited to roadways. Landslips have also disrupted train services on the South Western Railway, with derailments and track damage reported at Shiribagilu, Edakumeri, Kadagaravalli, and Donigal. Railway authorities are working to restore connectivity, though delays are expected to persist.
With both road and rail transport affected, officials are advising travelers to postpone non-essential journeys and to monitor official advisories for updates. Families caught in the disruption have reported distress, and emergency services remain on standby to provide assistance.
