Byndoor: Landslide on NH 66 at Ottinene

Byndoor: A landslide occurred on Wednesday night at the Othinene curve near National Highway 66, close to Byndoor.

The area has been receiving sporadic rainfall for several days, and the heavy rains on Wednesday night triggered the landslide. The topsoil on the hill is in a precarious state.

A few months ago, a fire department team had sprayed water, and compacted soil to prevent the soil from slipping, but the recent rains have caused further erosion.

Around one or two tipper trucks’ worth of soil fell into the roadside drainage and was cleared using a JCB. Fortunately, the landslide did not affect the traffic on the highway.

IRB officials visited the site and took precautionary measures after clearing the soil.

There are concerns that further landslides might occur near the Raghavendra Matha, situated close to the Ottinene curve. To prevent any accidents, the highway department and the company have taken preventive measures like plastering the area. After the Shirur landslide in Uttara Kannada, senior geologists from Delhi visited the area for inspection.

Someshwara Hill’s Gradual Erosion

While efforts have been made to protect the highway, Someshwara Hill is continuing to erode due to heavy rains. The unauthorized construction of roads by private individuals for resort building has allegedly worsened the situation. Earlier visits by district authorities and the supervising minister have not resulted in any action. On Wednesday, more soil from the hill slipped down, putting the Kshitija Nesar Dham at risk. Despite repeated complaints, the locals say, the department has not taken any serious action.