Illegal Hill Cutting Triggers Guwahati Landslide

Guwahati: A massive landslide hit the Kharghuli area of Guwahati on July 19. Boulders and debris slammed into the road, forcing an immediate cleanup operation. No casualties were reported.

District Project Officer Kaustubh Talukdar of the District Disaster Management Authority pointed to illegal earth-cutting as the culprit. Despite strict warnings from officials, unauthorized development continues to destabilize the hills. Talukdar stated, "The incident happened because of unplanned and unscientific earth-cutting and development activities. The district administration had issued a blanket order banning earth-cutting in hilly and low-lying areas from May to October."

Construction activities remain banned during the monsoon to prevent such disasters. Authorities are now scrambling to secure the site. The Soil Conservation Department assessed the area and started temporary safety measures while planning technical fixes. The event underscores the ongoing danger of unregulated hillside development throughout Guwahati.