NH-6 partly open for traffic, drivers advised to drive cautiously as work to clear landslides still underway: Meghalaya police

May 16: Torrential rainfall since the last couple of days resulted in multiple landslides in National Highway (NH) No 6 connecting Silchar with Guwahati. Majority of the landslides have occurred at the East Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya. Thousands of people enroute to Silchar and Guwahati got struck due to landslides. Many were compelled to walk the risky terrain and cross the areas where the landslide occurred.

Taking to its twitter handle at 3 PM on Monday, East Jaintia Hills Police wrote, “In East Jaintia Hills district the route from Ratachera- Umkiang- Sonapur- Lumshnong- Khliehriat- Lad Rymbai and vice versa is open for traffic but vehicular movement is slow as work to clear all landslides is still under way. All drivers are requested to drive cautiously.”

In another tweet, Meghalaya Poice wrote, “The Route on NH06 from Khliehriat-Sonapur-Ratachera is as of 3pm today open and traffic is moving but all drivers are advised to drive cautiously as the road condition is still not very conducive for driving due to incessant rainfall and mudslides.”

Earlier during the day, Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills said that NHAI teams are working continuously in the Silchar Shillong NH6 stretch to remove the fallen debris. Teams are working both in Assam and Meghalaya directions. Also there are logistics issues for the earth movers as there is traffic jam on both the sides.