Landslide blocks Kohima highway

KOHIMA: Heavy landslide caused by incessant rain for the last couple of weeks has blocked National Highway 29 along Phesama village, about 12 km from here. This has affected Manipur as it is one of the main highways connecting the state with the rest of the country.

A stretch of about 200 feet of the highway has been swept down to a distance of 500 to 600 feet into the valley. The landslide has completely cut off movement of vehicles, secluding the southern Angami areas and neighbouring state of Manipur.

Hundreds of trucks from both sides of Manipur and Nagaland carrying essential items to Manipur were left stranded on the highway. Light vehicles are being allowed to ply through the exit road to Kisama, bringing some relief to a large number of hapless commuters.

A government statement said, "A portion of NH-29 fell off at the exit junction of Kisama on July 12 evening in Phesama village. This has caused huge cracks in the hills above the roads. A stretch of about 200 feet has gone down to a distance of 500 to 600 feet into the valley."

Two legislators of southern Angami, parliamentary secretary for housing, treasuries and accounts, Vikho-o Yhoshu and parliamentary secretary for IPR and printing and stationery, Kropol Vitsu, visited the affected site on Saturday. All of them expressed concern and called for early repair of the road.

The Border Road Organization (BRO) official present at the site said restoration work would take time. He said that the situation might worsen if it rain continuously.

A traffic police officer said Manipur-bound heavy vehicles would take the Chakhabama route via Pfutsero to Tadubi or Chakhabama route via Pfutsero to Jessami until the road is repaired.

BRO personnel and district administration assisted by Phesama villagers were seen engaged in clearing the debris at the site. The Phesama Youth Organization (PYO) deployed volunteers to help the stranded passengers on both sides of the highway. Meanwhile, the Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) has asked taxis plying in southern Angami areas not to exploit the commuters by hiking fare.