Mangaluru: A major landslide occurred early Thursday morning at Mannagundi near Kaukradi village in Uppinangady, disrupting traffic on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru National Highway. Due to the heavy rains overnight, a large section of soil from a hillside collapsed onto the road, bringing vehicular movement to a complete standstill.
This stretch of the highway, carved directly through a hillside during the four-laning project, has proven vulnerable. With no proper retaining structures, the soil has loosened repeatedly during the monsoon. This marks the fourth or fifth such landslide at this spot in the current rainy season.
On Thursday morning, another heavy slide deposited massive amounts of earth onto the road, blocking it entirely. Vehicles are now lined up on both sides of the blockage.
Clearance work underway
Authorities have begun clearing the debris, but continuous sliding is hampering progress. With the removal work expected to last till at least noon, the police have requested motorists to use alternative routes until the highway is reopened.


Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
