Bodies of six persons have been retrieved from the site of the devastating mudslide in Pherima on Wednesday. The tragedy struck the popular stoppage for travellers on National Highway 29 on late Tuesday night after a storm with extremely heavy rainfall and strong wind hit the area. Another mudslide occurred nearby however no casualty has been reported from that site.
Among the deceased are travellers and people who worked in the highway restaurants. Authorities have not yet officially informed if there are more people missing and the number of injuries.
On the night of 3rd September 2024, another landslide occurred in the Pagla Pahar area in Chümoukedima where the river swallowed one side of the 4-lane highway.
The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio convened a meeting today and took stock of the situation on NH-29. The high level meeting was said to have been attended by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-charge of National Highway, TR Zeliang, along with all the concerned officials and agencies.
The Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) informed that all issues were discussed at length and the following decisions were taken:
- NHIDCL has been directed to make the NH-29 operational within 24 hours to ensure that supply of essential commodities like POL, food items were not adversely affected.
- To find an alternative route for plying of heavy vehicles carrying essential goods as well as for light vehicles.
- The following routes to bypass Pagala Pahar area were discussed in the meeting
i. 7th Mile NH 29 Sukhovi- Mhainamtsi-Jharnapani (For both Light and Heavy Vehicles).
ii. Showuba-Nuiland-Zhadima-NH 2 (Light Vehicles only).
iii. New Chumoukedima to Old Chumoukedima (Old Check Gate) (Light Vehicles Only).
- The concerned Department PWD (R&B) will maintain all the above mentioned alternative routes as well as the route from Peducha to Tsiesema road (Both Light and Heavy Vehicles) to ensure smooth and uninterrupted connectivity between Dimapur and Kohima.
- NSDMA was directed to release Ex-Gratia payment to the families of the deceased and injured immediately through respective DDMAs.
- The implementing Agency NHIDCL was directed to take rectification measures including deployment of latest technology to ensure that such events do not occur in future so that the highway between Dimapur and Kohima which is a lifeline for both Nagaland and Manipur is maintained throughout the year.
In a post on X platform, Neiphiu Rio informed that the State Government is providing emergency services and ex-gratia to the six individuals who lost their lives in the tragic events. The Chief Minister extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and at the same time urged citizens to heed official advisories.
Meanwhile, the Home Department, General Administrative Branch, Government of Nagaland has issued a travel advisory to ensure availability of essential commodities and the smooth movement of people between Kohima and Dimapur.
The following alternative routes for movement of vehicles have been advised:
- Light vehicles as well as heavy vehicles from Dimapur to move along the 7th Mile NH 29- Sukhovi – Mhainamtsi – Jharnapani road
- Light vehicles to move along the Showuba – Nuiland – Zhadima – NH 2 road
- Light vehicles may use the New Chumoukedima to Old Chumoukedima (Old Check Gate) road
- All light as well as heavy vehicles bound for Tseminyu/Wokha/Mokokchung/Zunheboto, etc from Dimapur to use the Peducha to Tsiesema road.
The Chief Secretary, Dr J Alam, also said that time slots for movement of vehicles, if any, may be decided by the respective District Administration(s). Further, he urged all travelers to co-operate and use the above alternative routes to ensure smooth and uninterrupted movement of goods and people within the State.
Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, Kumar Ramnikant, IAS has suggested two alternate routes for heavy vehicles carrying essential commodities and fuel for Kohima District. These routes are
- Jorhat-Mariani-Tsutapela Nagaland Gate- Tsurangkong- Longtho-Longnak- Changki- Chungtia- Mokokchung- VK- Wokha- Tseminyu- Kohima.
- Merapani-Bhandari-Baghty-Sanis-Doyang Bridge-Wokha- Tseminyu- Kohima (upto 10 Tonnes only).
The Niuland-Kohima route via Ghotovi and Zhadima has been advised for light vehicles.
A source informed that the authorities are working to at least open a portion of the road at Pherima, Tsiepama and Piphema area so that vehicles that are stuck on the highway can move out.
It remains uncertain how much time will be required to restore the stretch of the highway for normal traffic.
Read more: Storm leaves trail of destruction in Tsiepama jurisdiction; villages and inhabitants safe
