Massive landslide triggered by heavy rainfall overnight has cut off Arunachal from the rest of the country. Movement of vehicles on the main lifeline, National Highway 52-A, popularly known as Banderdewa road has come to a standstill since this morning after a major portion of the highway caved in at Lekhi village, around 15 kms from Itanagar.Inter-state passenger bus services have been cancelled and several passengers have been stranded on both sides. Only light vehicles are plying on Gohpur road, the only other artery connecting Itanagar with the mainland. Massive landslides had killed around four people in Itanagar late last month.AIR correspondent reports that, authorities have now restricted flow of traffic on other sections of the National Highway 52-A as smaller but equally devastating slides have occurred at 4-5 other locations. The state PWD is taking up restoration work in full swing. DC Bokar Basar said restoration of the road for plying of light traffic may take 2 days and more than 4 days for heavy vehicles. Attributing the massive landslides to human factors other than heavy rain, the DC said the administration will issue show cause notice against individuals who had been indulging in illegal land cutting and bulldozing in the capital complex. If heavy rain continues, the situation could be disastrous.
News On AIR | August 5, 2011 8:25 PM
Massive landslide cuts off Arunachal Pradesh from rest of country