Northeast Desk, 1st May: A harrowing landslide incident on Tuesday evening, April 30, shook the Meghalaya section of the Barak-Guwahati national highway near the Sonapur tunnel, leaving a truck driver and his co-pilot counting their blessings after narrowly dodging a catastrophic fate.
The landslide, which occurred along the Lumshnong – Ratacherra stretch, saw an enormous tree and a deluge of debris cascade down from the surrounding hills, directly impacting an oncoming truck. The force of the falling debris and tree left the vehicle severely mangled, but miraculously, the driver and co-pilot managed to extricate themselves from the wreckage with minor injuries.
The aftermath of the landslide has brought traffic on the vital highway to a standstill, with numerous vehicles stranded on both ends of the Sonapur tunnel. Authorities have initiated clearance operations to remove the debris and fallen trees obstructing the road, but the extensive obstruction suggests that the process may take several hours to complete.
The incident has caused significant delays and inconvenience for commuters, prompting local authorities to advise travelers to seek alternative routes until the highway is fully cleared and deemed safe for travel.
The Sonapur tunnel, a vital link between Barak Valley and Guwahati, has a history of similar incidents, especially during the monsoon season, due to the region’s susceptibility to landslides.
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