Tripura, Mizoram and Barak Valley cut off

Guwahati, Aug 29 (UNI): Two northeast states- Mizoram and Tripura- and Barak valley of Assam and parts of Manipur remained cut off by roads from the rest of the country for third day today following massive landslides near Sonapur in Meghalaya.

Parts of western Manipur were out of bound as surface links were snapped, according to Assam government officials here. The railway communication had already snapped following collapsed of a vital bridge near Maibong.

The Commandant of the 42 Border Roads Transport Force (BRTF), overseeing the road work, S K Singh, said it will take another 24 hours to restore the link. However, by this evening light vehicles could be allowed to pass, he added.

About 300 workers have been working at the mudslides areas of Sonapur where landslip is a regular phenomenon, especially during the winter months.

Thousands of trucks carrying essentials have been stranded on both sides as more than 200 trucks move from FCI godowns regularly with food stuffs. The problem deteriorated as railways stopped taking goods for past 45 days since the bridge snapped the link.

BRTF sources in Katigora said due to incessant rain huge boulders, muds and uprooted trees came down the hills on Sunday.

About 300 metres of roads completely washed away.

Sources said that it might take a month to restore the roads fully.

Meanwhile, Union Heavy Industries Minister SM Dev had talks with BRTF officials regarding the restoration and instructed Jowai Police and superintendents of police of Cachar and Karimjanj to provide securty to passengers, trucks and goods, who have been stranded there.

UNI