Relentless rainfall over the past 48 hours has triggered a series of landslides along National Highway-37 in Manipur, forcing the closure of the crucial Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar route and leaving more than 500 vehicles stranded.
The highway has remained inaccessible for the second straight day after heavy rain caused landslides and mudslides at several locations in Noney and Tamenglong districts. The most severely affected section is between Awangkhul Part-I and Awangkhul Part-II, where thick layers of mud and debris have completely blocked the road.
Long queues of goods carriers, fuel tankers and passenger vehicles have built up on both sides of the damaged stretch, disrupting the movement of essential commodities and travellers.
In view of the prevailing situation, authorities have suspended security convoy movement on NH-37 and advised transporters and commuters to postpone travel until the road is declared safe for traffic.
The disruption comes at a time when Manipur’s other major supply corridor, the Imphal-Dimapur highway, is already facing an indefinite blockade, raising concerns over transportation and the supply of essential goods to the state.
Restoration work is in full swing, with teams from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), security forces and construction agency ABCI working together to clear the affected stretches. Heavy machinery, including excavators and dumper trucks, has been deployed for debris removal.
Officials said continuous rainfall remains the biggest challenge, slowing restoration efforts and increasing the risk of fresh landslides. Authorities are monitoring vulnerable hill slopes while prioritising the safety of workers engaged in the clearance operation and stranded commuters.
