Imphal, July 11: Surface transport along the National Highway 39 has been totally cut off from the rest of the country following heavy and unprecedented mudslide at many points from Keithelmanbi to Lairou stretch leaving behind a trail of destruction in its wake today.

At least six residential houses including that of the village headman of Gopibung have been swept away in the swirling muddy current besides causing substaintial damage to two school buildings and two houses at Keithelmanbi.

Many passenger buses have also been stranded along the way causing lot of inconveniences to the people, some of whom were compelled to hire porters to carry their baggages beyond the muddy spot on either side to reach their destinations.

According to information culled from the site of the incident, a massive portion of Gopibung hill under Kangpokpi SDC circle gave way and crumbled down at about 4 am today due to torrential rainfall over the past few days.

The seemingly unstoppable muddy water streaming down from the precarious cliff flow over the National Highway covering an area of 500 metres from Bungmol to Keithelmanbi.

All the vehicles, including passengers buses coming from either side of the National Highway have been stranded and the road has been closed temporarily in view of the gravity of the situation.

More than 150 trucks are still being stranded at Mao with no sign of abatement of the swift muddy current.

Besides causing massive damages to houses, shops and standing crops in the terrace field, the mudslide, considered to be one of its worst calamities that hit the national Highway stretch in recent time, has uprooted 32 KV line electric pole connecting Loktak Hydro Project and Mao.

More than 50 metre portion of the National Highway near Lairou has also been reportedly cave in following the incessant rainfall.

Stunned by the calamity, the villagers of Gopibung, who have been living near the foothills have shifted and taken shelter to elevated portion of the hill after salvaging whatever was left behind.

Thirty-three families whose houses are located near the National Highway at Mao where over an area of 100 meters have been sunken 2 ft deep, have also reportedly left their houses and taken shelter with their relatives.

Reports of similar road depression occurring at Tadubi and Chakumai are also filing in.

According to another late report, the buildings of the Don Bosco School at Mao has been partially damaged in the landslide.

The school was scheduled to be reopened tomorrow after the summer vacation.

Rescue operation and road clearing works are also said to be carried out on war footing by PWD and other authorities concerned.

District Administration has also instructed the police for procuring eatable items from nearby available sources to be distributed to the affected people if it is required.

Mao Council, on the other hand has expressed its gratitude to police and Assam Rifles personnel for their assistance to the people of the area who have been affected by the mudslide/landslide.

Meanwhile, another report said that the transport service along the Maram Purul road , which is one of the busiest traffic in Senapati district, has also been cut off for the last few days as the Khoide side of the abutment of the bailey bridge built across Barak river has started tilting with changing of the river course in the wake of continuous rainfall.

All the vehicles have been remaining off the road affecting the life of the people severely.

Local MLA PS Henry Paotei along with the Executive Engineer of PWD, Senapati Division visited the site for taking up necessary measures.

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