Rockslides: NH 2 blocked at two locations in Mokokchung

A massive rockslide near Unger village on April 24 blocked NH 2 in Mokokchung. (Photo Courtesy: EE, PWD (NH), Mokokchung Division)
 

•    Atleast 2 days before clearing
•    Fissure develops  at NH 702(D)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 24

The rains have started to wreak havoc on the roads of Nagaland once again. National Highway 2 has been blocked by rockslides in two locations in Mokokchung district since April 23. The landslides started on April 23 and continued till today even as efforts continued to clear debris. 

NH 2 runs from Kohima till Amguri in Assam via Wokha and Mokokchung. 

According to the Executive Engineer (EE), PWD (NH), Mokokchung Division, it will be atleast two days before the affected portions can be cleared. The EE, Chubatoshi said that the first landslide occurred at km-162, near the Impur junction in the early hours of April 23.  “We were able to open it in the afternoon yesterday at around 3:50 pm but it came down again. We continued till 8:00pm but could not clear it.” 

He added that light vehicles were able to pass last evening and at around 6:20 pm this evening but 9 trucks carrying rice and other essential commodities remained stranded. He said that two earth-movers were working on the location and provided there are no further landslides the trucks should be able to pass on Saturday. Meanwhile, he recommended an alternative route via Longmisa and Longkong. 

Further ahead, at km-183, near Unger village, a rock face caved in at around 11:00am. This, the official said, was bigger than the Impur landslide. “Three excavators are on the job but some of the rocks are very big. It has to be blasted or it has to be broken down. It is not possible within tomorrow or the day after,” he added. 

Mokokchung-Mariani Road
He added that there are difficult portions in the Mokokchung-Mariani Road (NH 702D) as well. A ‘Sinking Zone’ below Changki village has been a headache monsoon after monsoon, “But Somehow it is motorable presently,” he said. 

He informed that another problem is taking shape in the Chungtia-Mekuli portion of the same highway, near Mokokchung town. According to him, this portion of the road was recently expanded and vehicles plying the newly cut portion. 

However, he added that a big fissure has developed at km-19.15 and signs of subsidence observed in the old portion of the road.