Mudslides disrupt NH-2 in Kohima; college students and commuters bear the brunt

KOHIMA — National Highway-2 was partially opened for emergencies, while complete vehicular movement was restricted along the bypass between Kisama and Phesama on Monday.

When Eastern Mirror visited both affected sections on Monday, restoration work was in full swing to clear the roads for traffic. However, fresh mudslides occurred at both sites following the afternoon rainfall.

Despite the fresh mudslides, the bypass road was cleared and opened for vehicular movement before 7 pm, as per the stipulated time given by the deputy commissioner.

At NH-2, SDO (Civil) Jakhama, Vineikho Tetso, who was monitoring the restoration work, informed this newspaper that emergency vehicles and buses carrying students were allowed to pass through NH-2 in the morning. This arrangement was made to facilitate their travel after their classes finished.

However, in the afternoon, local contractors raised concerns over new mudslides and soil cracks, advising against vehicular movement. As a result, college buses were diverted to the Kigwema-Mima-Chakhabama route.

Tetso added that complete restrictions were imposed on vehicular movement along the bypass road below Rhododendron Resort after massive mudslides on Sunday blocked the road.

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Restoration work was underway to clear the road for traffic by evening, although he cautioned that further mudslides could occur if the rainfall continued.

Sources at the site clearing the road confirmed efforts to restore traffic by 7 pm, as directed by the DC. They mentioned, however, that continuous rainfall could trigger more mudslides from the above areas where massive quarries are located.

The only excavator available from the Kohima South Division was deployed on an alternate route: Jakhama-Pudunamai road, while machinery at the bypass was on a “hire basis.”

Later in the evening, the road was cleared. From Tuesday onward, traffic police would be stationed at the site to monitor the situation, and additional machinery would be stationed for emergency clearance.

Mudslides not a new problem

A local resident explained that the bypass road between Kisama and Phesama was initially constructed about 20 years ago for quarry purposes. However, after heavy landslides along NH-2 in 2015, the road was extended to Kisama.

Mudslides have been a recurring problem in this area, and locals often clear the debris themselves, though the process can take several days. For the recent mudslides, machinery has been engaged, and clearance work has been ongoing since Sunday night.

A student from St. Joseph's College, Jakhama (Autonomous), shared the challenges faced by students commuting to college. Prior to the road damage, it took about 40 minutes to travel from Kohima to the college.

Now, students take over an hour to reach the campus, even if they leave home early around 7 am. The mudslide-induced blockage of the bypass road on Sunday further worsened the situation.

“Most of the taxis (Tata Sumo) don’t want to take the route via Chakhabama because it now takes more than two hours. We don’t want to travel for so long either,” the student said.

“We never know when we will reach home,” she added, highlighting the uncertainty and strain caused by the detour.

The student explained that the road felt unsafe, saying, “We were just risking our lives coming this road, but this one seems more dangerous than the Chakhabama road. That one is longer, but this one is more dangerous again, so we don’t want to travel.”

Before the class started, students received a notice directing them to arrange their own vehicles and bear the travel expenses. In response, the students requested online classes or suspension of classes for a few days.

However, they received no response and were instead told that an alternate route was available.

Those coming from Kohima struggle the most. After Sunday’s blockage, many were stranded near Phesama on Monday and arrived late for their classes.

After the break, students organised a small protest at the college. They spoke to the principal and submitted an application requesting either online classes or a suspension of classes for a few days.

They were told that response will be given after discussing with the college management team.

The students expressed frustration, noting that they were physically, mentally, and financially struggling. “We mostly feel bad for our parents because many of us are not financially stable, and students residing in Kohima are staying in rented places. Parents also keep asking if the management is doing anything to help,” one student said.

The students highlighted that coming to college was primarily for attendance purposes, yet the risks they were facing were jeopardising their safety.

Impact on travellers

Kohima-bound vehicles were seen waiting in line along the bypass road for the clearance work to be completed before they could pass through. One Dimapur-bound traveller from Manipur, unaware of the road blockage, mentioned that while the Maram-Peren-Dimapur road was still passable, it was damaged due to the constant flow of heavy vehicles.

At NH-2, contractors and locals were working together to restore the road. Machinery such as excavators, roller graders, and dipper trucks were deployed to clear the road. A worker at the site mentioned that the road would be properly restored by August 15, depending on weather conditions.