- Mingyashin Shaiza
EKHON | UKHRUL: Ramva Village in Ukhrul district faces a crisis as landslides from National Highway 202 construction threaten over 30 households. Katho Katamnao Long (KKL), a local body has facilitated talks between residents and project stakeholders, including NHIDCL and Varaha Infra Ltd and reached a plan to build retaining walls after the monsoon season to prevent further damage.
However, residents continue to suffer as landslides occur, causing more destruction to their land and property, including newly built homes.
“At night, when it rains harder than usual, I fear we will fall with the house, but I have nowhere to go,” said one affected woman, expressing the deep fear and helplessness of the community.
Another resident pointed out the practical challenges caused by the disaster, saying, “Our toilet has gone down with the landslide, so we have to use our neighbours’, which is very inconvenient.” These daily struggles underscore the situation’s urgency, as many homes risk collapsing due to the continuous rain.
The affected people seek immediate relief, such as temporary shelter or alternative arrangements. “What we want right now is immediate relief for the affected houses or an alternative arrangement,” said Wungthingam, a volunteer representing the affected households. This call for assistance highlights the critical need for rapid action to protect vulnerable residents.
When the landslides occurred in June-July, the community sought help but needed help figuring out where to turn. Eventually, the KKL intervened and clarified that the responsibility lay with the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and Varaha Infra Limited (VIL). In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, KKL urged for a “joint meeting of all stakeholders” to address the risk of disaster, adding that the construction” has entailed a danger to numerous residents residing at Ramva, Shokvao, and TM Kasom villages.”
“We have met with the Deputy Commissioner, who asked us to wait for the monsoon to stop, and necessary steps will be taken after that,” Wungthingam explained. Nevertheless, as the monsoon persists, “the landslide occurred again and the debris is falling again,” increasing the urgency for action.
As for the delay in the road construction of NH 202, the Project Manager of Varaha Infra Limited cited three main reasons: the COVID-19 pandemic, the violence in Manipur and the prolonged monsoon rains. “The onset of the pandemic made it hard to work, and as the situation was getting better, the Manipur violence broke out, delaying the work further,” he stated. “Now, skilled laborers from outside Manipur are unwilling to travel due to the situation, and the prolonged monsoon has added even more delays.”
This situation highlights the critical need for better disaster preparedness and coordination between authorities, contractors, and the local community to ensure the safety of residents. At the same time, infrastructure projects are being carried out. Immediate relief measures and long-term solutions, such as the construction of retaining walls, are essential to prevent further damage and loss.
