Landslides disrupt vehicle movement to four NE states

Shillong, Aug 27 (UNI) The northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram, Barrak Valley of Assam and parts of Manipur remained virtually cut off from the rest of the country following fresh landslides on National Highway 44 at Damsar in Meghalaya, official sources said today.

Hundreds of trucks carrying essentials to Tripura, Mizoram and parts of Manipur remained stranded. Services of passenger buses were also suspended on the National Highway which is the lifeline for landlocked Tripura and Mizoram.

The fresh landslides occurred last evening at Damsar near Damasara and Kuliang village at Sonapur following incessant rain in the area, Jaintia Hills District Deputy Commissioner F R Kharkongor told UNI over phone.

The Border Roads Task Force personnel have already been pressed into the service to clear off the debris, Mr Kharkongor said, adding that it would take at least one week to clear the road.

The Centre had proposed to construct a tunnel at Sonapur in Meghalaya last year to avert frequent landslips during the monsoon season.

A team from Centre for Disaster Mitigation and Management, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore and NRDMS Division and Department of Science and Technology had visited the site during May last year for suggesting a permanent solution to the frequent disruption of traffic on the national highway.

UNI