Road Closures Ordered for Phesama and Surhoba Landslides

Kohima: Kohima Deputy Commissioner B. Henok Buchem ordered a full-day shutdown of the Phesama sinking zone on National Highway-2 this Sunday. The closure affects the stretch between Chainage Km 191+840 and Km 192+100 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on August 2. Work crews will focus on urgent debris removal following active soil movement on adjacent slopes. Heavy machines now sit ready at the site to clear rocks and dirt.

Officials inspected the damaged corridor on July 30. Senior Superintendent of Police Krodi Rhetso joined representatives from the PWD, NHIDCL, and local village councils to assess the risk. They plan to install two lighting units and warning signs at both ends of the zone. Police will regulate traffic and maintain constant communication with district leaders. Buchem stated: "He encouraged commuters, especially those travelling at night, to use the alternative route via Kisama."

The administration has set clear detours. Light vehicles must travel through the Phesama-Kisama-Kigwema route near Rhododendron Resort. Heavy vehicles heading to Manipur should shift to the Peren District road. Emergency traffic may also use the Kohima-Jessami and Chakhabama-Zunheboto roads.

Meanwhile, the Phek-Chozuba stretch of NH-702A remains blocked. A major mudslide hit the road at Km 161+700 near Surhoba Village. Phek Deputy Commissioner Rhosietho Nguori prohibited all vehicle movement there effective July 31. Traffic must take the Phek-Khuza-Mutsale-Phuhgi-Sukruzu route until crews declare the highway safe.