It is also said the the course of the river had largely been changed in the region after the construction of a vented dam upstream at Siddakatte.
A Public Works Department engineer said that the collapse of entire span of a bridge all of a sudden is normally unheard of. Any such collapse would be preceded by visible cracks and rattling sounds.
Monday's collapse, therefore, should be due to a completely weakened foundation or the basement of the bridge due to strong currents following the heavy rain the region has been witnessing these days, he said. The bridge is built of stone foundation, about 150 metres long and has six spans. Soon after the incident, the police placed barricades on both the sides of the bridge blocking vehicular movement. Senior police and Public Works Department officials rushed to the spot.
The bridge collapse would now force people on both the sides to take circuitous routes to reach their destinations in Bantwal as well as Mangaluru taluks.
