Nagaland: Pherima landslide claims six lives, causes extensive damage

September 5, 2024 14 Views No Comment

Survivors recount ‘very scary’ incident

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 5

A harrowing night of heavy thunderstorm on the Dimapur-Kohima National Highway (NH-29) brought forth a huge landslide that resulted in the death of six individuals while damaging several vehicles and houses.

The incident reportedly occurred around 10:00-10:30 PM at a stoppage point in Pherima village, Chümoukedima wherein debris and mudslides washed down from a stream opposite the road wrecking havoc on the unsuspecting victims.

Concurrently on the same night, another landslide severed the highway a little further away in Pherima while a portion of the road on the ‘Pagla Pahar’ stretch of the NH-29, was washed away as well.

Meanwhile, eyewitness accounts stated that the landslide and its subsequent devastation occurred for less than ten minutes time.

“The landslide came so suddenly, sweeping away cars and others objects, it was very scary,” a truck driver recounted.

He was on his way to Kohima, loaded with cement bags however due to the landslide and subsequent road blockage, his truck had become immobile.

Likewise, dozens of trucks were stranded on the highway on that particular stretch during the afternoon.

A representative from Indian Oil Corporation at the site told The Morung Express that mentioned that three trucks of the company were caught in the calamity while several more were stuck on the highway, indecisive of their next course of action.

“These consignments were supposed to reach Imphal city,” he added.

Meanwhile, Head Gaonbura (GB) of Pherima village, Vikato Ayemi recalled that this had been the first time such a calamity had occurred in their area.

In his view, the flood tide was caused to the blockage of the culvert drainage brought on by boulders and other debris.

Till late afternoon, authorities were yet to engage any machinery to clear the debris at the site. On this note, he had appealed to the NHIDCL and other concerned authorities to widen the culverts at the earliest before another tragedy strikes.

Ayemi mentioned that the bodies of the deceased were recovered during the night and the following morning through joint efforts from the village youth, police personnel and disaster response forces.

In the wake of this devastating incident, Pherima village’s disaster response force estimated that 17 vehicles had been damaged including two being swept away by flood waters. Meanwhile, four houses (roadside diners and a temporary hut) had been partially or completely damaged.

Further up the road where the other landslide occurred, authorities were busy in clearing away the rock fall. At least six-seven machineries had been put into action in this regard. In the evening, a travel advisory issued from the Home Department mentioned alternate routes between 7th Mile NH 29 Sukhovi-Mhainamtsi-Jharnapani and New Chümoukedima to Old Chümoukedima to be used during this period, indicating the clearage of the road block.

Official death toll stands at 6
At least 6 people were reported to have lost their lives in the aftermath of the September 3 landslide. The persons were Kriesangulie, Samir Dutta, Daju, Bijay, Sopon Biswas, and a female named Sonhie, a DIPR report mentioned.

Concurring with other estimates at least 5 Trucks, 11 Light Motor Vehicles, a two-wheeler were damaged by the landslide.

Chümoukedima DC, Polen John; ADC, Kuzonyi Wideo; ADC Medziphema James Swu along with EAC and DBs accompanied by police personnel also conducted an on-site inspection of the landslide affected area.