Heavy rains triggered landslides in Tripura’s Unakoti district, blocking NH-208 between Kailashahar and Kumarghat. With roads collapsed, electric poles uprooted, and commuters stranded, locals urge urgent government intervention to restore connectivity and prevent worsening damage from continuous rainfall.
Unakoti district of Tripura witnessed severe disruptions on Saturday morning as heavy overnight rainfall triggered a series of landslides, leaving the Kailashahar–Kumarghat National Highway (NH-208) completely blocked. The collapse occurred near Shantipur School, cutting off one of the region’s most vital road links and causing widespread distress among travellers and residents alike.
The landslide not only buried large portions of the highway but also uprooted several electric poles, plunging the surrounding areas into power outages. The damage has further complicated the already critical situation, as repair crews now face the dual challenge of clearing debris and restoring electricity.
Commuters Stranded Midway
The incident had a direct and immediate impact on passengers traveling from Kailashahar to Kumarghat railway station early in the morning. With the highway blocked and no alternative routes available, multiple vehicles were forced to halt midway. Frustrated travellers, many of whom were en route to catch trains, had no choice but to return to Kailashahar. The sudden disruption caused immense distress, particularly for daily commuters, students, and patients scheduled for medical appointments in other towns.
Residents reported that the blockade led to long queues of stranded vehicles on both sides of the highway. For those dependent on the Kailashahar–Kumarghat route for their livelihood and essential services, the disruption highlighted the urgent need for better disaster preparedness and road safety measures.
Trees Uprooted and Roads Collapsed
The heavy rainfall also unleashed additional chaos in other parts of the district. In Ujan Jalaibari’s Ward No. 5, multiple trees were uprooted, blocking stretches of the highway and further delaying clearance operations. The uprooted trees not only obstructed movement but also posed hazards to nearby homes and shops.
Meanwhile, several portions of NH-208 passing through Bolehar collapsed under the pressure of incessant rains. Locals described scenes of deep cracks and eroded road surfaces, warning that continuous downpours could cause further deterioration. Residents expressed concern that if immediate steps were not taken, the damage could extend to larger sections of the highway, potentially isolating entire areas of the district.
Calls for Government Intervention
As normal life in the region came to a standstill, residents and commuters appealed to the district administration for urgent intervention. Local voices grew louder throughout the day, demanding that authorities deploy adequate manpower and machinery to clear the debris, repair the damaged stretches, and restore connectivity at the earliest.
Community leaders and residents highlighted the risks of prolonged inaction. With the roadways crippled, supply chains for essential commodities such as food, medicines, and fuel are likely to face severe disruptions. Shopkeepers in Kailashahar and Kumarghat have already expressed worry about stock shortages if the blockade continues for several days.
“The highway is our lifeline. Without immediate repair and clearance, our lives and economy will suffer,” said a local shopkeeper in Kailashahar. Others echoed similar sentiments, urging the Public Works Department (PWD) and disaster management teams to expedite restoration.
A Test for Disaster Preparedness
The incident has also raised questions about the region’s disaster preparedness and the resilience of its infrastructure. Experts have long cautioned that the hilly terrains of Unakoti district remain highly vulnerable to landslides, especially during the monsoon season. The latest disruption underscores the need for comprehensive strategies, including slope stabilization, improved drainage systems, and regular monitoring of vulnerable zones.
For many residents, the landslide was not just an isolated event but a reminder of the recurring challenges faced during every monsoon. With weather forecasts predicting more rainfall in the coming days, anxiety among the public continues to grow.
Awaiting Relief and Restoration
As of now, no official confirmation has been provided on the timeline for reopening NH-208. Restoration work is expected to be challenging given the scale of damage and continuous rainfall hampering operations. For the stranded commuters and distressed locals, swift government action remains the only hope for relief.
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Until the highway is cleared and repaired, normal life in Kailashahar, Kumarghat, and the surrounding villages will remain severely affected. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of Tripura’s infrastructure to natural calamities and the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate such risks in the future.
