Landslide prone areas noted, alternatives mooted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 24: The Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre under funding from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has identified landslide prone areas along Imphal-Mao section of NH 39.Besides, a more reliable alternative route from Maram centre to Khoizuma which is 5 kms shorter than the existing one was also suggested.

Considering the frequent cases of landslides during rainy season along National highways which serve as the only way to bring in essential commodities from other States, principal investigator of the Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre L Ramananda under the sponsorship of the Department of Science and Technology undertook a research on "Landslide hazard, Location Imphal to Mao along NH 39" and its report was published.

A map outlining the landslide prone areas

According to the findings of the research which was conducted with the help of remote sensing satellite and geographical information system, landslides along NH 39 is a result of making highway along the route without studying geological and geo-technical feasibility and execution of the road development without proper planning, informed a reliable source.

From geological perspectives, the area where the highway is passing though lies in Churachandpur-Mao thrust zone.

In fact, NH 39 runs parallel to the thrust zone and some lineaments are passing through this highway.

The major rock type of the area is the Disangs which is mostly shale and small bands of sandstone, mentioned the report.

The average landslide incidence along NH 39 from Imphal to Mao section is about 109 kms, revealed the study which covered an area of 955 sq kms.

The research work discovered that out the total area studied, 22.483 sq kms has been categorised as very high in terms of vulnerability to landslides, 19.130 sq kms as high while another area of 123.309 sq kms is categorised as moderately high.

Of the total 34 villages covered by the research work, 25 are identified as highly vulnerable to landslides and 8 villages are located in low landslide prone area.

The report also recommended for safety measures in these landslide prone villages.

It also suggested an alternative route from Maram centre to Khoizuma (Nagaland) where there is little or no chance of landslide and which will be shorter by 5 kms.

Generally people prefer settlement alongside highways and roads for convenience in transport and communication.

This in turn lead to preparation of agricultural fields in areas surrounding highways and roads.

Naturally, water is conserved in such fields which affects soil stability of the area.

The report made strong recommendation against practising agriculture in the surrounding areas of highways/roads.

Heavy landslides occurred along NH 39 at Mao in 2004.In the same year, there was disastrous mudslide at Keithelmanbi.

This year too, the villagers of Shajouba are still reeling under the devastating effects of another major landslide.