Torrential rains on Saturday night caused major mudslides along National Highway 29 between Patkai College junction , Police check gate Chumukedima and Jharnapani at midnight on Saturday, cutting off Kohima.
Even the alternative route at between Dimapur to Kohima via Niuland-Zhadima was affected in some areas.
More than four landslides occurred between Chumukedima and Jharnapani, the worst affected being at police check gate, near Patkai Bridge and Jharnapani.
Chumukedima Town Council, Dimapur District Administration and Dimapur Police were at the spot assisting road clearance works.
Six excavators (JCBs) were pressed into service by Chumukedima Town Council (CTC), Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and BRO to clear the knee-deep mud and tons of debris at the sites. Hundreds of vehicles including taxis, trucks carrying essentials and passengers buses were stranded along the highway.
Meanwhile, chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s which convoy coming from Kohima happened to pass by the highway while hectic efforts were going on to clear the road.
Neiphiu while making a brief stopover at the affected site, told media persons that landslide occurs due to force of nature and no one can do anything about natural calamities. He said the government was aware of the alarming rate of global warming and has been taking assessment of cloud bursting, excessive rain in the state. Rio said one should take up measures to tackle the problem of landslides and stop soil erosion.
He also appealed to Chumukedima villagers to conserve forestry and preserve ecological balance. Rio further said steps should be taken up in cooperation with BRO, PWD (R&B) CTC, volunteers, villagers, administration and police in times of crisis.
While speaking to truck drivers and passengers, it was revealed that they have been stuck in the highway since 8am. This particular mountainous stretch is susceptible to “sliding rocks” and it would be a welcome step if the BRO puts up a warning sign to alert drivers plying on this landslide prone area.
It may be mentioned landslide first occurred at this sport on August 13 with more than twenty landslides occurred between Chumukedima and Jharnapani with the worst affected being at police check gate and Jharnapani. The landslide also washed away one house while a two wheeler and a Maruti car were covered partially under mud. However, no casualty was reported.
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