Landslides on NH-29 Kill 6, Disrupt Nagaland Traffic

Guwahati: At least six people were killed and several others injured after heavy rainfall leading to a massive landslide on National highways 29 disrupting the route between Dimapur and capital Kohima near Pherima village in Nagaland.

The state authorities said, “They have recovered six bodies including of a woman so far. There have been reports of few more people missing.”

Sources said that a portion of the same highway was washed off in New Chumukedima on Tuesday evening. Hundreds of vehicles are reported to be stranded on these routes.

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio in a social media post said that authorities are helping those affected. “I’m deeply concerned by large scale destruction on NH-29 caused by incessant rainfall. Authorities are on-site assessing the situation and helping those affected. The state govt will continue to pursue with the government of India @nhidcl for immediate measures and restore normalcy at the earliest,” Mr Rio said on Wednesday morning.

The incidents occurred on Tuesday night and in the wee hours of Wednesday at multiple places. In viral videos, large stretches of the highway were seen blocked. A number of vehicles were stranded.

The office of the commissioner of police, Dimapur issued an advisory for commuters. “In view of the massive mudslide at Pherima, landslide at Tseipama/ Piphema and another major landslide on NH 29 (Pagala Pahar/New Chumoukedima) which has washed away an entire section of the road, all vehicular traffic between Kohima and Dimapur on NH-29 is blocked as it is not possible to ply on this stretch of road,” the advisory said.

It added, “Alternate route via Pimla-Mhainamtsi for commuting between Kohima and Dimapur is also not advised due to the above mud slide/landslides. The Niuland-Kohima via Zhadima road can be used by light motor vehicles only. No heavy vehicles shall be allowed to ply on this route.”

It requested citizens to take extreme precautions during this weather condition and plan their travels accordingly. It is significant that National Highway 29 leads up to Manipur and the state depends heavily on this arterial road for supplies.