Nagaland: 6 dead, several injured in landslide on NH-29

KOHIMA-  Six people died and four others were injured in a series of landslides, triggered by incessant rainfall, along National Highway 29 in Nagaland  on Tuesday. The Nagaland state disaster response force (SDRF) has retrieved six bodies by Wednesday afternoon from the debris officials said.

Among the deceased were one Khriesangulie (46 years) and his mother-in-law Anhieü (60 years) who were travelling with their family members and had stopped to eat at a roadside eatery when the landslide occurred. Officials said the other deceased were identified as Samir Dutta (45), Daju (60) and Vijay (28-30), all residents of Pherima, and one Sopon Biswas (50), reportedly from Tripura.

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One roadside hotel, several other structures and a vehicle were said to have been washed downstream by the landslide. At least five persons were reported to have sustained injuries from the incident.

Officials said road clearing works are in progress but the national highway is now completely cut off for vehicular movement. It has also been learnt that a huge portion of the same highway collapsed into the nearby Chathe river in New Chumoukedima on Tuesday evening.

Authorities say approximately 150 vehicles are lying stranded between Pherima and New Chumoukedima. Most of the stranded vehicles particularly goods carrying trucks were bound for Manipur.

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio took to X to raise his concern with the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for immediate restoration measures.

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“I’m deeply concerned by large scale destruction on NH-29 caused by incessant rainfall. Authorities are on-site assessing the situation & helping those affected. The State Govt will continue to pursue with the GoI & @nhidcl for immediate measures & restore normalcy at the earliest,” Rio tweeted on Wednesday morning.

Deputy chief minister in charge of National Highway TR Zeliang expressed sadness over the unfortunate calamity leading to loss of life and properties. He had also tweeted on X that the state government will immediately take measures to alleviate the losses and assess the situation leading to the cause of such frequent debacle on the NH-29 four-lane road.