Landslide Disrupts Bengaluru Coastal Railway Services as Multiple Trains Face Cancellation and Partial Termination

Rail passengers travelling between Bengaluru and the Karnataka coast faced major disruptions after a landslide struck the railway track between Yedakumari and Shrivagilu stations in the Mysuru Railway Division. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at around 8.45 pm following continuous heavy rainfall in the region, forcing South Western Railway to suspend or modify the movement of several important passenger trains.

Railway authorities immediately launched restoration work at the affected stretch, where repeated landslides have become a serious concern due to relentless monsoon rains. Heavy machinery, including additional excavators, has been deployed to remove debris and stabilize the track before services can safely resume. Officials said engineering teams are working continuously while monitoring weather conditions to ensure passenger safety.

The disruption has affected thousands of travellers, especially those planning weekend journeys between Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Karwar, Kozhikode and Murudeshwar. Railway officials expressed regret for the inconvenience and appealed to passengers to check the latest train status before starting their journey.

One of the major services impacted is Train No. 16585 SMVT Bengaluru Murudeshwar Express. The train, which departed Bengaluru on August 1, has been partially cancelled beyond Hassan. Passengers travelling to destinations further along the coastal route have been advised to make alternate travel arrangements until normal rail operations resume.

Train No. 16511 KSR Bengaluru Kozhikode Express has also been partially cancelled from Hassan because of the blocked railway section. The suspension of this service has affected passengers heading toward Kerala, with railway authorities working to provide timely updates regarding further movement.

Another important train impacted is Train No. 17377 Vijayapura Mangaluru Central Express. The service, which began its journey from Vijayapura, has experienced operational disruptions because trains cannot pass through the landslide affected section. Officials have stated that the train’s movement will depend on restoration progress.

Passengers travelling on Train No. 16595 KSR Bengaluru Karwar Express have also been affected. The train has been partially cancelled between Sakleshpur and Karwar, cutting off one of the important rail links connecting Bengaluru with the Uttara Kannada coast. The suspension is expected to remain until railway engineers certify the affected track as safe for operations.

Similarly, Train No. 16586 Murudeshwar SMVT Bengaluru Express has been partially cancelled between Subrahmanya Road and SMVT Bengaluru. The modified service has disrupted return travel for passengers heading back to Bengaluru after visiting coastal destinations.

The impact has extended to Kerala bound services as well. Train No. 16512 Kozhikode KSR Bengaluru Express, which departed Kozhikode on August 1, has been partially cancelled and will terminate at Kabaka Puttur instead of reaching Bengaluru. Railway authorities have requested passengers to make alternate onward travel arrangements from the revised termination point.

Train No. 17378 Mangaluru Central Vijayapura Express has also suffered changes. Instead of completing its scheduled journey to Vijayapura, the train has been partially cancelled and will terminate at Subrahmanya Road due to the blocked section.

In addition to these route modifications, complete cancellations have also been announced. Train No. 16540 Mangaluru Junction Yesvantpur Express and Train No. 16575 Yesvantpur Mangaluru Junction Express have both been cancelled. These services are among the busiest trains connecting the state capital with the coastal region, making the disruption particularly significant for regular commuters and tourists.

Officials explained that continuous rainfall has weakened the hill slopes along the railway corridor, making the region vulnerable to repeated landslides during the monsoon. Engineering experts are conducting inspections not only at the latest landslide location but also at nearby stretches that have experienced similar incidents in recent weeks. The priority, they said, is to prevent further accidents while restoring operations safely.

South Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer stated that passenger safety remains the highest priority. Teams from engineering, operations and maintenance departments have been deployed around the clock to accelerate restoration work. Additional earth moving equipment has also been brought in to speed up debris clearance and strengthen vulnerable sections of the railway line.

The railway administration has advised passengers to verify train schedules through official railway enquiry services before leaving for stations. Since weather conditions continue to change rapidly, further operational adjustments may be made depending on the progress of restoration work and the condition of the affected track.

The Bengaluru coastal railway corridor is considered one of Karnataka’s most important transportation routes, connecting major cities with tourist destinations, ports and business centres. Every monsoon, however, the route faces challenges because of landslides in the Western Ghats. Railway officials continue to invest in preventive measures, but prolonged heavy rainfall can still create unexpected disruptions.

As restoration efforts continue, authorities have assured passengers that every effort is being made to reopen the line at the earliest possible opportunity. Until then, travellers are encouraged to stay informed through official announcements and cooperate with railway staff as services gradually return to normal.