Kandhmal : – A devastating landslide triggered by relentless monsoon rains has severed the vital link between Ganjam and Kandhamal districts in Odisha, with authorities estimating at least seven days for full restoration of the affected stretch. The incident, described as unprecedented in scale for the region, has stranded commuters and heightened fears of further disruptions amid ongoing heavy downpours.
The catastrophe unfolded on Tuesday in the Kalinga Ghati area of G. Udayagiri block, Kandhamal district, where torrential rains dislodged massive boulders and tons of earth, completely burying the roadway in a sea of debris. This stretch forms the sole connectivity artery between the two districts along National Highway 157 (Vijayawada-Ranchi), a critical lifeline for travelers and goods transport across eight southern and western Odisha districts: Kandhamal, Boudh, Subarnapur, Balangir, Balangir, Bargada, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, and Nabarangpur.
Eyewitnesses likened the scene to the catastrophic landslides in Uttarakhand, with enormous rocks tumbling down the hillside in a roar that echoed through the valley. "It was like the mountain itself gave way—nothing like this has ever happened here before," said a local truck driver who narrowly escaped the slide. The blockage has halted all vehicular movement, forcing residents and essential supplies to rely on circuitous, ill-maintained alternate routes, exacerbating hardships in the rain-soaked region.
In an immediate response, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) dispatched its chief engineer to the site on Tuesday for a firsthand assessment. Speaking to reporters, the official outlined a two-phased recovery plan: temporary repairs to clear debris and partially restore one-way traffic within days, followed by comprehensive stabilization work expected to wrap up in about a week. "Our teams are working round-the-clock with heavy machinery, but the sheer volume of material—combined with the risk of afterslides—demands caution," the engineer noted.
The highway's closure has rippled through the local economy, stranding hundreds of daily commuters, farmers transporting produce, and emergency services. Relief efforts are underway, with district administrations in Kandhamal and Ganjam coordinating food and medical aid distribution to affected villages. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for continued heavy rainfall in the area, prompting calls for enhanced slope monitoring and drainage upgrades along this vulnerable ghat section.
As cleanup operations intensify, officials urge motorists to avoid the route and check for updates via NHAI advisories. This incident underscores the growing perils of climate-driven extreme weather in Odisha's hilly terrains, where fragile ecosystems are increasingly tested by intensifying monsoons.
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