Nagaland: Rains cause multiple landslides in Kohima

A landslide swept away a large chunk of the National Highway 29 near the Old KMC Dumping Site on August 4. (Morung Photo)

 

NH-29 between Dimapur-Kohima cut off

 

Light vehicles diverted  to Jotsoma bypass

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 4 

A stretch of the National Highway-29 along the Dimapur-Kohima road has been cut off following a major landslide at the KMC Old Dumping Site early this morning.

Several Manipur bound trucks carrying essential commodities were stranded on the highway. This highway is also the lifeline of neighbouring Manipur state.

Following the disruption of the said stretch of the highway, light vehicles had to take the alternative route through Jotsoma bypass.

Talking to media persons, Er Kezha Theunuo, Chief Engineer, National Highways said that the landslide occurred in two locations during the early hours of August 3. The stretch of the road is located between 172.5km to 173 km of National Highway 29.

 

 

He informed that the restoration works began in the morning and that the top part of the affected area was cleared within the day itself. The Chief Engineer however said the road formation below this area has been completely washed away by the landslide and that it would take time to restore it. 

The only option, Er Theunuo stated, was to undertake a fresh cutting. 

In order to do this, the Chief Engineer stated that the authority would begin negotiating with the landowners and thereafter the restoration works would start.

Kohima Deputy Commissioner, Thejawelie Gregory who was also present at the site said that there should not be any problem of shortage of essential commodities in the state capital. Allaying fears, the DC stated that the district administration along with the Kohima Traffic Police would be working out some modalities to ensure alternative routes for heavy vehicles to ply through Tsiesema.

North Traffic Officer in Charge, Mhathung Patton meanwhile informed The Morung Express that following the disruption of the road, light vehicles have been diverted to Jotsoma bypass till the affected portion of the National Highway is restored.

While the disruption at the National Highway was a cause for major concern, the heavy rainfalls also affected several other parts of the state capital as well. Other areas affected include Midland, Para Medical and the Naga Hospital area. A stretch near the SKV Petrol Pump along the National Highway was also affected. However authorities managed to clear the road within the day. 

 

 

Meanwhile, it was reported that four persons were injured after the RCC wall of a house collapsed due to a landslide in Upper Bayavu, Kohima on August 2.

Besides Kohima, heavy downpour across Nagaland over the past few days has caused landslides in many parts of the state.

It may be noted that the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) had on August 2 advised government departments responsible for roads and other infrastructure and the public to take precautionary measures in lieu of projected rainfall over the next week.