Nagaland NH-29 landslide: Death toll rises to 6, rescue operations underway

-Alternate route for light vehicle Dimapur- Niuland-Kohima via Ghotovi and Zhadima

-Essential supply intact, do not to resort to ‘panic buying,’ appeal Kohima District Administration 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 5

As of 2 PM on September 4, six bodies have been recovered following the fatal landslide that struck the National Highway-29 near Pherima, under the Chümoukedima district of Nagaland, on Tuesday night.

The exact status of the missing persons is still unknown, and the death toll may rise further as search and recovery operations continue.

Sources at Chümoukedima district administration informed that the deceased included one female and five males. Two of them were travelers, while one was a shopkeeper and another a hotel worker. The details of the other two were yet to be ascertained at the time of the last update from the district administration.

As reported earlier, two fresh landslides struck NH-29 at two locations during the night of September 3 and early September 4, severing key link to state capital Kohima and beyond. 

The first landslide, resulting in tragic consequences, occurred around 11 PM on September 3, on the NH-29 stretch near Pherima after torrential rain.

It is important to note that several vehicles were traveling on the road after the highway had been opened for single-lane traffic following several days of blockage due to another landslide and mudslide further up on NH-29 near Dzüdza.

Meanwhile, further down from Pherima, a portion of NH-29 at the ‘Pagla-Pahar’ stretch was washed away due to flooding in the Chathe River, completely cutting off the main road connectivity to Kohima and beyond. One side of the four-lane highway in this stretch remains closed to traffic due to recurrent rockslides.

As a result of the latest landslide, vehicular movement has been restricted beyond the Chathe River Bridge Junction until further notice.

More details are awaited on both incidents.

As news of the landslide at Pherima spread, the public was seen flocking to fuel outlets and shops selling essential items. However, district police reassured the public that alternate routes for the supply of essential commodities remain intact.

In an update on X designated as “Important,” the Kohima Police urged the public not to “resort to panic buying as the alternate routes for the supply of essential commodities into the district are still intact.”

The Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, in an advisory, also informed all concerned that there is no shortage of fuel and general essential commodities, urging the public to refrain from “panic buying.”

“The District Administration, Kohima, is collaborating with its counterparts in neighboring districts to ensure that the supply of essential commodities and fuel is not affected by continuing supply through available alternate route(s),” the DC added.

The Deputy Commissioner of Niuland has issued a travel advisory informing the public that an alternate route from Niuland to Kohima via Ghotovi and Zhadima has been opened to vehicular traffic.

However, this route is currently limited to small and light passenger vehicles due to the narrow width of the road and weak culverts.

To assist commuters, the DC of Niuland has also set up a help desk, and the concerned officials entrusted with the task are:

Vitoka Yepthomi, EAC Niuland – 7005469924
Inahoto Sema, EE, PWD (R&B) – 6009887733
James Jami, ACP Niuland – 7085055012
Kakheka Zhimomi, Chairman NTC – 7005492090
Kahoto Jimomi, Head GB Ghotovi Village – 6009749025

    The landslide at the Pagla-Pahar strech of the NH-29. (Morung Photo)

CM Rio, Deputy CM Zeliang express anguish
Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed deep concern over the “large-scale destruction” on NH-29 caused by incessant rainfall and informed that the State Government will urge for immediate measures from the Government of India (GoI) and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
“I’m deeply concerned by the large-scale destruction on NH-29 caused by incessant rainfall. Authorities are on-site assessing the situation and helping those affected. The State Government will continue to pursue the GoI & @nhidcl for immediate measures and restore normalcy at the earliest,” he posted on X.
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, who is also Minister in Charge of Planning and Transformation and National Highway, expressed ‘deep anguish’ over the incidents and informed that search and rescue operations are still underway for those missing.
“It brings deep anguish learning about the unfortunate calamity which occurred last night near Pherima and Pagla Pahar, leading to the loss of life and properties. Search and rescue operations are still underway. Let us pray for the safety of those still missing,” he posted on X.
Zeliang also informed that the State Government will “immediately take measures to alleviate the pain caused by this natural disaster. We will also assess the situation leading to such frequent disasters on the NH-29 four-lane road.”