DIMAPUR, July 29 - Incessant rains in the past few days have triggered a massive landslide at Phesama village in Kohima district on National Highway 29 cutting off Nagaland from Manipur.
The landslide that occurred on Saturday evening has completely cut off Kohima from Mao Gate in Manipur. The Kohima-Mao Gate road is a lifeline of several Southern Angami villages in Nagaland and also of Manipur.
A number of heavy vehicles, including buses and trucks, carrying passengers and essential goods were seen stranded in the area where the landslide occurred. Rains also triggered landslides in other parts of the district along the National Highway in the past several days affecting vehicular movement.
Kohima District Disaster Management Authority said a landslide measuring about half a kilometre occurred between Phesama village and Food Corporation of India godown towards Kohima town.
Sources on Sunday said the authority was continuing to clear the debris so that the road can be reopened at the earliest. They said light vehicles coming from Kohima were diverted from Lerie junction (CRPF camp) to Pf�chama-Phesama-Kigwema route and vice versa.
Advisor to Youth Resources and Sports department, Zale Neikha, visted the spot to take stock of the situation. He expressed apprehension that the inclement weather could wash away substantial portions of the road. Neikha informed that the Border Roads Organisation was bringing in more equipment to clear the mudslides.
Another landslide at Viswema village today not only completely cut off Viswema from Zuketsa but also damaged about seven houses. At least four families were reported to have been rendered homeless.
Besides, another landslide occurred in the High School area of Kohima and affected eight households. The authorities have urged commuters to carry water, fruits and other light food items while travelling on the National Highway.
Imphal Correspondents adds: Meanwhile, the landslide in Nagaland has held up many Manipur-bound goods trucks. Bus and mini bus service operators in Imphal have suspended Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Guwahati passenger services.
