Landslide: Food items distributed among large number of drivers & passengers stranded in Meghalaya

June 17: 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 since then. 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 then vehicles were prohibited to ply on that stretch of landslide affected road.

There are land slides at 08 places in East Jaintia Hills District and 2 places in West Jaintia Hills district. Road is damaged at 2 other places ahead of Khliehariat. More than 1000 trucks are stranded between Silchar and East Jaintia Hills District. This was informed in the social media page of DC Karimganj.

Continuous assistance is being provided to the stranded passengers under the supervision of ADC SS Syiemlieh. Despite the continuous heavy downpour, government wholesalers, cement companies and other NGOs have been deployed to distribute food packets and water to the public. This was informed by the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills District on Thursday.

On Friday too, food items were distributed among the stranded vehicle drivers and passengers. Cement companies, banks and local business owners distributed food packets to those stranded in that stretch. DC East Jantia Hills District on Friday stated, “District administration appreciates the efforts taken by Cement companies, banks and local business owners in voluntarily joining hands with district administration in providing relief to the stranded people and living up to idiom “Service to Humanity is Service to God.”

Meanwhile, a meeting held with Limestone Miners of Lumshnong area in the chamber of Deputy Commissioner. They have been conveyed the gravity of the tragedy and directed to divert the discharge to other locations to help in restoration of the NH 06.

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. 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.