Shillong: An urgent public safety advisory has been issued by authorities concerning travel along National Highway 40.
Ongoing construction work, coupled with the anticipated arrival of the monsoon season, has significantly increased the potential for landslides along a critical stretch of the highway.
The Sub-Divisional Officer’s office in Pynursla has specifically identified a 13-kilometre section between Laitlyngkot and Lyngkyrdem, spanning chainage kilometres 24 to 37, as being particularly vulnerable. The necessary hill-cutting activities associated with road widening projects have resulted in the destabilization of several slopes within this area.
“The convergence of construction-related disturbances and the expected heavy monsoon rains presents a perilous situation,” stated E.L. Warjri, the Sub-Divisional Officer for Pynursla Civil Sub-Division. He further emphasized, “We strongly advise the public to restrict travel through this specific zone whenever feasible to ensure their safety.”
In light of the escalating risks, officials have put in place five mandatory safety guidelines for all individuals travelling along this route.
These include avoiding any non-essential travel during or immediately following periods of heavy rainfall, strictly adhering to all posted warning signs and instructions from personnel on the ground, maintaining an increased level of vigilance when navigating near construction sites and vulnerable slopes, promptly reporting any observed signs of land movement or damage to the road, and staying informed about any potential road closures or diversion routes through official communication channels.
Travellers who observe any hazardous conditions are urged to report them without delay to either the Block Development Officer located in Pynursla or directly to the Sub-Divisional Officer’s office. This advisory is being issued as Meghalaya braces for its annual monsoon season, which typically brings prolonged and intense rainfall to the region for several months.
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