Due to incessant rainfall, the Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh experienced severe landslides on Wednesday. A section of National Highway 313, which serves as a crucial link between Dibang Valley and the rest of the country, was washed away by the landslides. Fortunately, the incident did not result in any casualties. However, the highway’s closure for more than 16 hours completely halted vehicular movement.
District officials promptly initiated temporary repairs, allowing the passage of small vehicles by Thursday afternoon. The Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu, expressed concern over the inconvenience caused to commuters and emphasized the urgent need to restore connectivity. The landslides, caused by water accumulation on the slopes along the highway, occurred around 5 pm on Wednesday. DJ Borah, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dibang Valley, stated that approximately 10 meters of the highway had been washed away, but temporary restoration efforts had allowed small vehicles to pass.
Borah further explained that heavy commercial vehicles were still restricted due to ongoing rockfalls in the area. The authorities are working diligently to expedite repairs and ensure the resumption of regular traffic flow. The affected section of National Highway 313 is located in proximity to the border with China, underscoring the significance of restoring connectivity for both transportation and strategic purposes.
