KOHIMA, Aug 23 - The landslide at Phesama on National Highway-29 along Dimapur-Kohima-Mao sector has worsened over the past 48 hours and the authorities have advised a complete closure of vehicular movement on this road.
About 100 metres of the highway has been affected and it is unsure how long it will hold up as the slide has affected a huge portion of the entire hillock.
A Manipur-bound passenger bus and a BRTF excavator were swept downhill by the mudslide earlier yesterday. The bus was dragged down about 200 feet below the road. The excavator was attempting a recovery of the bus when it was swept down as well. However, no casualty was reported as the passengers of the bus were evacuated as soon as the vehicle got stuck in the sludgy road.
Around 300 vehicles including goods-laden trucks and buses remained stranded on the highway on either side of the landslide area. At least 10 houses on the roadside were directly affected and occupants have been evacuated a few days ago, sources said. Phesama villagers, the landowners of the area, have mobilised a volunteer team to assist commuters as well as to help in the muck-clearing operations.
