Massive land slide occurs at Kalinga Ghat again

Bhanjanagar: A massive land slide occurred at Kalinga Ghat in Odisha’s Kandhamal district again following intense rainfall disrupting the repair and restoration works on Monday.

This is the second such horrific land slide occurred within seven days. Earlier on September 16, a massive land slide had occurred at the ghat disrupting vehicular communication along NH-157.

Following the land slide, authorities from both Ganjam and Kandhamal district had begun the repair and restoration work on a war footing. As precautionary measures, they had closed the road from both sides and restricted entry. Besides, police have setup 24-hour checkpoints at both the ends. It was assumed that the work would end in next 15 days and the road would be reopened for the public.

However, a fresh land slide occurred in the same place today which affected the repair and restoration works. Terrifying footages showed that huge boulders slipped from the hill. Fortunately, though neither anyone was injured nor the vehicles, which are engaged for works, were damaged due to the land slide, construction materials including stones, sand, and gravel were swept away.

The concerned officials reached the spot and took stock of the situation.

It is to be noted here that following the land slide at Kalinga Ghat, vehicles going to Kandhamal district from Bhanjanagar of Ganjam district are now forced to take a longer alternative route due to which their travel time and costs have increased.

Usually, the vehicles going from Bhanjanagar to Kalinga via Kalinga Ghat road hardly takes 45 minutes to cover 35 kms. But now, they take more than three hours to reach via Chakapad. Besides, the bus fare between the two destinations which used to be Rs 50 per person has now doubled and every passenger has to pay Rs 100.