Daijiworld Media Network - Hassan (MS)

Hassan, Aug 17: Officials and staff of Indian Railways, who belong to Yedakumeri railway station of Sakleshpur near here, are facing danger due to the incessant rain that is battering Malnad region.

In a desperate message sent to the higher officials of the railway department, they quoted that "Due to the heavy rain and landslides we are unable to go to any part of the railway track. If the rains continue, even the building of railway station, in which we have taken shelter, may collapse. So please save us."

There have been landslides on both sides of the track for up to 100 meters and huge boulders have rolled on to the space near the railway station.

It is learnt that the senior officials of the railway department have written a letter to Rohini Sindhuri, deputy commissioner (DC) of Hassan district to save the personnel. The DC who immediately responded to this SOS letter from the railway department has asked the fire service department and emergency services department to take immediate action.

According to the latest information, the district administration has decided to airlift all the 16 railway staff whose lives are in danger. The helicopters will be arranged from Bengaluru. Request for the airlift operation was put across to the DC by A K Sinha, additional divisional railway manager (Mysuru division), SWR.

The railway department personnel are trying to restore the railway line between Sakleshpur of Hassan district and Subramanya of Dakshina Kannada district which is stretched on a distance of 55 km. It is learnt from sources that it may take at least a week for the restoration work to get completed.