The major portion of National Highway-29 in the Pagla-Pahar stretch is seen washed away by the flooding Chathe River following a landslide during the intervening period of September 3 and the early hours of September 4.
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | September 4
The Pagla-Pahar stretch of National Highway-29, long notorious for recurrent rockslides, is now grappling with an additional but a severe crisis: landside and soil erosion from the Chathe River.
In addition to the tragic landslide near Pherima, the NH-29 suffered further damage during the intervening period of September 3 and the early hours of September 4.
The landslide, coupled with a spate in the Chathe River, resulted in the river washing away a substantial section of the highway.
By morning, vehicular movement toward Kohima was completely obstructed at the Chathe Bridge, where hundreds of vehicles remain stranded.
This comes on top of an existing blockage caused by a landslide near Dzüdza about three weeks ago.
A visit to the site by The Morung Express on Wednesday revealed workers frantically attempting to address the landslide by filling it with mud.
However, their efforts have been largely in vain as the flooding river continues to erode the highway.
Workers were unable to estimate how long it would take to restore the road for vehicular use.
At the scene, nearly two-thirds of the road has been severely impacted, rendering it dangerous even for light vehicles.
Some metal guardrails, installed for protection against rockfalls, were observed hanging precariously, as significant portions of the road had been washed away. It remains uncertain the installation of the removal of these guardrails contributed to the road's instability.
Smaller landslides or erosion were seen in other parts of the stretch.
The situation is further complicated by the overhanging road sections, which pose a grave risk.
The resolution of this crisis remains unclear, as the extent of the damage and the effectiveness of restoration efforts are still being assessed.
In response to the situation, the district administration and police have identified an alternate route from Jharnapani-Mhainamtsi to Pimla to bypass the hazardous Pagla-Pahar stretch.
This route is intended to help mitigate the disruption caused by the ongoing landslides and river erosion.
On August 30, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) informed the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench that approximately 6,000 cubic metres of rock must be removed from above the ‘Pagla Pahar’ stretch of National Highway-29 to prevent future rockfalls.
