Landslides disrupt traffic on Wokha-Merapani road

WOKHA — As incessant rain continues in the aftermath of cyclone Remal and the ensuing monsoon, landslides occurred at two locations along the Wokha-Merapani stretch of road on Wednesday, stranding hundreds of vehicles for hours.

The road was blocked on Tuesday night following a landslide, before it was cleared for traffic. However, a fresh landslide occurred in the same location in the early hours of Wednesday, disrupting traffic between Wokha and Merapani.

Sources informed that the said road, which is currently in defect liability period (DLP) for road maintenance, was cleared again for traffic, using a backhoe (excavator) belonging to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

Another major landslide was reported a kilometer away from Sanis ‘0’ Point towards Baghty town, and also at Sanis ‘0’ Point towards Doyang, under Wokha district.

The affected road connects Wokha with the state of Assam; Merapani is approximately 60 kilometers away from Wokha town. It is also used as an alternate road to Dimapur (via Merapani) and used by the neighbouring district including Mokokchung.