Mudslide in East Jaintia Hills causes road blockage stranding hundreds of vehicles concerns mount over Sonapur bridge safety

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 15, 2023

Heavy rain continues to lash East Jaintia Hills District for two consecutive days, resulting in recurring mudslides in the 120-meter-long Sonapur tunnel.

This has severely hampered the movement of vehicles from Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya.

At 8 AM today, another mudslide occurred, blocking the road. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far. However, this incident has left hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the road.

Police posted in their facebook said efforts are on to clear the mudslide.

Concerns have been raised by residents of Sonapyrdi, as vehicles are parked in the Sonapur bridge, posing a risk to the bridge. The bridge serves as a crucial link connecting Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and parts of Manipur. With vehicles stranded on the Sonapur bridge for hours, residents are increasingly worried about its future.

DDMA issues advisory on mudslide in Sonapur Tunnel

Local residents are urging the authorities to address the issue promptly and prevent the piling up of loaded trucks and buses on the bridge to avoid any potential mishaps.