Landslide: Meghalaya Govt issues prohibitory order for movement of vehicles in NH-06, alternate route announced

June 16: Incessant rainfall since the last few days have resulted in multiple landslides in NH-06 since 15 June, 2022. Initially, landslide occurred on NH-06 near Sonapur village in the morning on 15 June. Huge number of vehicles got stranded on the highway on 15 and 16 June. Due to the continuous heavy down pour, some parts of the NH-06 under Lumshnong Police Station was witnessing minor flash floods. Also, some parts of the road on NH-06 was badly damaged. Since 16 June vehicles were prohibited to ply on that stretch of landslide affected road.

After ground level review of the situation was undertaken today by the Home Minister, Govt of Meghalaya, it was later during the day on 16 June, 2022, that prohibitory orders for movement of vehicles on NH-06 was issued. The order issued by District Magistrate of East Jaintia Hills District stated that due to incessant rainfall in the District and the State as a whole in the last few weeks. various road connectivity has been severely affected due to landslide, rock fall and mudslide that may prove dangerous and fatal to human life and livestock. Further, due to heavy discharge of water from adjoining hill slopes, the portion of the NH-06 road at chainange 128+450 Lumshnong village (near Toll Plaza) has collapsed and hence rendering movement of any vehicle unsafe.

Therefore, in order to take such other steps as may be requital or warranted to be taken in such a situation to prevent any disaster and ensure safety of the commuters.the following traffic arrangement regulations were announced:

1. Movement of all vehicles and pedestrians on the damaged road at Lumshnong is prohibited.
2. Light Motor Vehicles (less than 3 Ton) are allowed to ply via the alternate route of Brichyrnot- Lumshnong (Star Cement) road.
3. Vehicles carrying essential commodities to other states through this route will have to exchange the goods to light commercial vehicle (LMV) at the junction (to be notified separately) of the diversion road, if necessary.
4. Heavy vehicles will be permitted to ply only after the restoration work has been completed.

It was further informed that Chief Engineer PWD and NHAI senior officer will submit plan of action by tomorrow. All necessary measures were being taken to restore the road as soon as possible.