Finally, Charmadi Ghat open for light vehicles

Mangaluru: The Charmadi Ghat which was closed for two days because of landslides which had obstructed vehicular movement, was opened for movement of light vehicles Thursday evening.

National Highway 234 which passes via Charmadi Ghat, was closed by the district administration  on June 13 and June 14 for repair work and to clear the debris after the Ghat section experienced a major landslide Monday night leading to road blocks for over 12 hours leaving about 2,000 people stranded.

On Wednesday and Thursday, National Highway officials cleared all the debris caused by the landslides including the fallen trees and took necessary measures to clear the road for free flow of vehicles. On  Thursday late evening, two wheelers and cars were allowed to take this route.

"We have started allowing light vehicles on the road at Charmadi Ghat. However as it is still raining, buses have not been allowed. Buses will resume service from Friday morning," Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil told Deccan Chronicle. With this travel on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru route will become easier.

Meanwhile, heavy rain continued in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, especially in the foothills of Western Ghats. Following heavy rain on Thursday morning, officials declared a holiday for schools in Puttur, Sullia and Belthangady taluks.

With the Ghat section receiving heavy rainfall, rivers were seen brimming and overflowing in some places. Traffic movement was hit at Venoor and Guruvayanakere in Belthangady taluk as the main road was flooded. A minor landslide was also recorded in Bantwal where river Netravathi is nearing the danger level.