Heavy Rainfall Triggers Successive Landslips on Sakleshpur Rail Line
Landslides between Yedakumari and Shirivagilu stations have paralyzed train services, forcing multiple cancellations and diversions. South Western Railway crews are struggling to clear debris as recurring soil instability hampers restoration efforts.
Key takeaways
- Initial landslips occurred at 8:45 p.m. on August 1, 2026, between Yedakumari and Shirivagilu stations.
- South Western Railway cancelled services 16540 and 16575 on Sunday due to repeated soil instability.
- Stranded passengers received catering support at Hassan, Subrahmanya Road, Shirivagilu, and Bantwal.
- The Karwar–KSR Bengaluru Express (16596) required a lengthy diversion through Palakkad and Erode to bypass the blockage.
Persistent Soil Instability Halts Restoration Efforts
Extreme weather conditions in Sakleshpur taluk resulted in a series of landslips on the railway corridor connecting Yedakumari and Shirivagilu stations. The initial obstruction occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026. While the South Western Railway (SWR) Mysore division mobilized relief material trains immediately, the operation faced significant setbacks. Manjunath Kanamadi, Chief Public Relations Officer for SWR, confirmed that recurring landslips throughout the night and into Sunday, August 2, prevented the timely reopening of the tracks.
Massive Disruptions and Passenger Logistics
The blockage stranded several express services mid-route, necessitating emergency logistics for commuters. Authorities organized catering and basic amenities at Hassan, Subrahmanya Road, Shirivagilu, and Bantwal stations to assist those caught in the delay. Specific train movements were halted or redirected as follows:
- Mangaluru Central–Vijayapura Express (17378): Held at Shirivagilu station starting at 7:58 p.m.
- Murdeshwar–SMVT Bengaluru Express (16586): Stopped at Subrahmanya Road at 8:50 p.m.
- Kozhikode–KSR Bengaluru Express (16512): Detained at Neralakatte at 9:56 p.m.
- KSR Bengaluru–Karwar Express (16595): Terminated prematurely at Hassan station.
To maintain some network connectivity, the Karwar–KSR Bengaluru Express (16596) followed a significant detour, traveling via Mangaluru, Shorapur, Palakkad, Erode, and Jolarpet to reach its destination.
Sunday Operations Suspended Following New Landslips
Conditions deteriorated further on Sunday, August 2, leading to the outright cancellation of the Mangaluru Junction–Yesvantpur Express (16540) and the return Yesvantpur–Mangaluru Junction Express (16575). Engineering teams remain on-site, but the threat of additional soil movement on the saturated stretch continues to dictate the pace of the cleanup operation.
Source: The Hindu — National
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