Baptist Church at Old Tssori village in Wokha district after a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall swept away the retaining walls, leaving the church and office buildings at risk on July 31. (DIPR Photo)
Tuensang DC restricts heavy vehicles on NH-202
Tuensang, August 1 (MExN): A major landslide triggered by days of heavy rainfall has damaged the Baptist Church premises at Old Tssori village in Wokha district, while the district administration has restricted the movement of heavy vehicles on a vulnerable stretch of National Highway-202 due to continuing land subsidence.
According to Associate Pastor of the Baptist Church, Old Tssori village, Robert Ngullie, the landslide occurred in the early hours of July 31 and swept away the church's retaining walls and surrounding compound.
He said the landslide has left the church office buildings on the verge of collapse and placed the main church building in a vulnerable condition.
Ngullie also expressed concern over land cracks that have developed around the church and office buildings, posing a serious threat to life and property in the area.
DC Tuensang issues travel advisory
Meanwhile, Tuensang Deputy Commissioner Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa has issued a travel advisory restricting the movement of heavy vehicles along NH-202 at Chainage Km 98 near the IOC Petrol Pump after the road was affected by continuous land subsidence and landslides caused by incessant rainfall.
The advisory said the affected stretch has sunk and has been completely cut off, while the alternate diversion route passing through the IOC Petrol Pump is also experiencing fresh sinking.
Based on a technical assessment by the Public Works Department (National Highways), the administration said the movement of heavy vehicles is aggravating the condition of the diversion route, posing an imminent threat to public safety, vehicular movement and the stability of critical infrastructure.
The district administration has, with immediate effect, prohibited the movement of all heavy vehicles through the affected stretch until further orders.
However, light motor vehicles, ambulances, fire and emergency service vehicles, police vehicles and other essential emergency service vehicles will be allowed to use the diversion route with caution and subject to safety clearance by the competent authority.
The advisory directed all heavy vehicles to make necessary arrangements for trans-shipment of goods at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Chainage Km 87.
The administration warned that violations of the order would attract penal action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and other applicable laws.
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