Fresh landslides in multiple locations between Donigal - Yedekumeri - Kadagara Valli - Shribagilu block section of Sakleshpur - Subrahmanya Road Ghat Sections over Mysuru Division, have led to the cancellation of trains between Bengaluru, Mysuru towards coastal Karnataka and Kerala.
Officials fear that trains might be cancelled for an extended period of time up till September 10, if the weather continues to remain inclement or if landslides persist.
The Chief Public Relations Officer on Tuesday evening announced that KSR Bengaluru - Kannur/Karwar Express commencing from KSR Bengaluru is cancelled for departures starting from Tuesday to Saturday as of now.
Similarly, the return journey, Kannur/Karwar - KSR Bengaluru Express commencing from Kannur/Karwar will be cancelled from Wednesday to Saturday.
Railway officials said these cancellations were necessitated due to network congestion and crew shortage in Southern Railway jurisdiction of the diverted route.
“From August 14 till now, 62 landslides have occurred between Sakleshpur-Subramanya. Out of these, 30 have been cleared so far. A total of 13 machines and 200 men are continuously working to restore the tracks. As of now, it is estimated that 80,000 cubic metres of earth is lying on the track,” an official said.
She added, “Railways is making all-out efforts to restore services. However, given the quantum of work involved, it is expected that restoration of track for safe train operations will be possible only after 15 days, if weather permits.”
Although the continuous heavy rainfall in central and coastal Karnataka had primarily affected Kodagu, the neighbouring district of Hassan did not escape the fury with multiple reports of landslips and roads caving in.
However, no loss of life was recorded in the period between August 12-24 when the rains were at their highest intensity in recent weeks.
Incidentally, 12 Railway staff were stuck at Yedakumeri Railway Station in the Mysuru Division for four days as both sides of the station were blocked. They were finally rescued through a trek route by the district authorities.