Assam: Haflong-Silchar road closed to heavy vehicles due to impending rains

Haflong: The Dima Hasao district administration in Assam is bracing for heavy rainfall predicted by the IMD from Sunday  until May 15.

As a precautionary measure and to prevent further damage to the ongoing repairs on the Jatinga-Harangajao stretch of NH 27, they have restricted the movement of heavy commercial vehicles on the Haflong-Silchar road from 8 pm tonight.

To ensure the safety of commuters and minimize road damage during the anticipated downpour, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has issued a notification restricting heavy commercial vehicles on the route.

Trucks traveling to Barak Valley and beyond are advised to use alternate routes through Meghalaya until further notice.

District on High Alert:

District Commissioner and DDMA chairman Simanta Kumar Das urges residents to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel, especially after dark.

Only travel for emergencies or medical purposes is recommended. The DDMA is fully prepared for potential emergencies. Schools have been identified as potential relief camps if the situation worsens.

The district administration is ensuring sufficient supplies of essential items and has alerted the food and civil supply department to closely monitor the situation.

Just this past Wednesday night, heavy rains caused a road washout between Harangajao and Miyungkhro, disrupting traffic flow on the crucial Haflong-Silchar route.

While light motor vehicles were diverted through a temporary bypass, hundreds of commercial vehicles were stranded until the road was provisionally reopened on Friday.

This highlights the importance of taking precautions during the upcoming period of heavy rain.

Impact on Train Services:

Train services in the district have also been affected due to a separate incident. A 100-meter earth subsidence near the Jatinga Lampur railway station has caused significant disruption.

Divisional Railway Manager Prem Ranjan Kumar has assured the public that all possible steps are being taken to restore train operations as quickly as possible.

Currently, only 17 trains are operating during daylight hours, while four trains remain canceled.

Passengers are advised to check train schedules for updates before traveling.