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Also seen in the picture are students of St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, on their way to the college.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 18 (EMN): At a time when the State is experiencing the worst of monsoon due to the occurrence of numerous landslides along the State’s highways, it is inevitable that the general public have to undergo enough hardships throughout this season.
Those people who reside away from the landslide affected areas may not experience the adversities; however, a wide section of people cannot escape from the troubles and hardships following the complete cut-off of National Highway 29 at Peducha, NH 2 at Viswema and the collapse of the bridge over Chathe River at 4th Mile Dimapur.
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Elderly couple make descend on a steep pathway at the landslide affected area near Viswema village.[/caption]
Ever since the landslide occurred on NH 29 at Peducha on May 14 this year, the commuters between Dimapur and Kohima have been experiencing immense hardships. The complete cut-off of the highway on July 9 aggravated the sufferings for commuters.
The bridge collapse over Chathe River at 4th Mile came as alarming news. The bridge collapsed on last Tuesday evening, and since, the people of Niuland sub-division and Kuhuboto circle and some other villages have been vastly disconnected from Dimapur, except the route via Patkai, Seithekema and Chumukedima.
Adding to the woes of travellers, the National Highway 2 at Viswema village also got completely cut-off on July 15, only to increase the burden and frustration of commuters, particularly Manipur bound passengers.
What differentiated the situation at Viswema from the rest is because they were left with no other alternate route which could be traversed in a short period of time.
Since the massive landslide at Viswema has also covered and washed away a major portion of the NEC road connecting Viswema and Pfutsero via Zeketsa, to reach Kohima, the nearest route for vehicles coming from Viswema, Khuzama and beyond is the road via Mao Gate, Kidima, Kezocha, Mitelephe and lastly Kigwema which connects the highway.
Though the NH 29 got completely cut off at Peducha, yet, there were alternate routes via Sechü Zubza and Kiruphema and another route which connects Peducha with Tsiesema.
Four days since the complete cut off, the villagers of Viswema and Khuzama along with the travellers from Manipur have been experiencing a harsh reality of life.
From travellers to school students, it didn’t even spare the old aged people who were left with no option, but to climb the uphill footpath to cross the landslide zone.
A visit to the landslide area today saw many school students making their way back home after their classes. They have no other option, but to cross the difficult terrain in uniforms. The weather was hot and sunny today, but had it been a rainy day, these students will have to undergo a more difficult situation. And this daily exercise will continue until the day the fresh road cutting gets completed.
The schools which are affected include St Joseph’s College, Jakhama; Japfü Christian College, Kigwema; St Joseph’s Higher Secondary School; John Government Higher Secondary School; Baptist English School, Viswema; Pfutsana School; and Lower Primary and Middle Schools, Viswema.
Nature’s fury had not only affected the school goers but even the church goers, who reside in Sweba area, a locality before reaching Viswema village.
The commuters, burdened by their luggage, had to undergo a harrowing time, while old aged people were seen making steep the climb to reach the other side of the road.
In spite of all the troubles and hardships, what seemed to have inspired many travellers was the voluntary service rendered by the youth from Viswema and Khuzama village.
On Tuesday, around 200 youth from Viswema and Khuzama villages were at the site to assist commuters in carrying their luggage and belongings.
SAYO general secretary, Virasetuo Neikha informed that the volunteers were from Viswema Youth Organisation, Viswema Baptist Youth department and Khuzama Youth Organisation.
Talking to Eastern Mirror, a student from St Joseph’s College said they were okay to climb the uphill footpath on dry days, but added that it will be troublesome for them on rainy days. Fortunately, the weather was good on Monday and Tuesday. The road was fully cut off on Saturday morning.
Army personnel, who were also helped by volunteers in carrying the heavy luggage, couldn’t be happier in finding a relief. “If there were no volunteers, we would have to do it ourselves,” said one uniformed personnel, who wished not to be named.
Apart from the selfless service, it was informed that youth members from Viswema Baptist Church distributed tea and water free of cost to commuters on both sides.
Thanks to the District Disaster Management Authority, Kohima, for constructing transit camps along the footpath for commuters to rest, while they have also provided tarpaulins on both the sides. Apart from that, the team from the disaster management also tied plastic ropes along the entire stretch of the footpath to assist commuters in sloppy areas.
For the convenience of commuters, the PHE department, led by Engineer P Jakpou Khiamniungan, also constructed two pre-fab toilets today, adjacent to the landslide area.
As for the fresh road cutting, the Border Roads Organisation has assured to complete it before July 20. As on Tuesday, six excavators have been pushed for the task, however, it is likely that it will take a fewer more days than what was expected due to the difficult terrain.
Viswema village council chairman, Zhotoho Kiso, has lauded the BRO for rendering their best since day-one, while he also appreciated the district administration for their full cooperation and support.
The excavators kept working till midnight yesterday night, he informed.
