Mudslide triggered by torrential rains on Sunday afternoon severely disrupted traffic movement along the Kisama bypass road, used as an alternative route after the road subsidence on national highway-2 (NH-2) in late May.
The mudslide occurred between 2 pm and 3 pm Sunday carrying a thick slurry of mud, gravel and debris that swept across the steep and narrow road stretch.
Several vehicles were swept aside or tipped over, while multiple others were stuck and unable to move. However, the exact number of damaged vehicles could not be ascertained till the time of filing this report.
There was no report of any loss of life or injury to people during the mudslide.
The affected bypass from Phesama village, passes the Rhododendron Resort and climbs above the Naga Heritage Village toward the Southern Angami region and onward to Manipur. This route has been used for movement of light to medium vehicles after NH-2 was rendered impassable by a landslide near the exit of Naga Heritage Village on May 31.
It may be recalled that the same bypass played a crucial role in managing traffic during the 25th Hornbill Festival in 2024, when it served as a key alternative route for visitors to the Naga Heritage Village.
District officials supervising the site informed Nagaland Post that road clearance operations began immediately after the incident. Restoration efforts were carried out on a war footing, with the road reopened for vehicular movement by 8 pm. Speaking to this reporter, Phesama Youth Organisation president Viyie Kuotsu stated that the mudlide covered approximately 150 meters of the road with mud slurry. He said several vehicles were tipped over, but village youth volunteers quickly mobilised to pull them back onto the road with the help of ropes and manpower.
Initial clearance was carried out by the volunteers before personnel from the Public Works Department (PWD) arrived to assist.
Kuotsu disclosed that the mudslide partially damaged several houses, hutments and cow sheds in the vicinity.However there was no casualty reported so far.
Meanwhile, officials stated that NH-2 had been partially reopened for southbound traffic, offering limited but much-needed relief to commuters affected by the ongoing road disruptions.
DC Kohima issues traffic advisory
In the wake of a massive mudslide on July 20 below Rhododendron Resort along the Phesama-Kisama/Kigwema alternative route, which caused significant damage to road infrastructure and public property, the Kohima district administration has issued a traffic advisory for public safety and road restoration efforts.
Deputy Commissioner Kohima, B. Henok Buchem informed that the affected stretch will remain closed to all forms of traffic on July 21 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., to facilitate urgent restoration works.
However, medical emergency and school/college-bound transport will be permitted to ply along National Highway-2, which has been partially restored.
All other light motor vehicles (LMVs) will be diverted via the Kigwema – Kezo Town/Chakhabama – Kohima route.
DC has advised commuters to plan their travel accordingly and extend full cooperation. Further updates regarding the road condition and restoration progress will be issued in due course.