Koraput: With cyclone Murasu moving towards the coast, State Highway 48 between Borigumma and Raniguda in Odisha’s Koraput district has been sealed amid fear of possible landslides.
The district administration of Koraput took the decision to seal the highway stretch in view of safety risks posed by continuous rainfall and falling soil from nearby hills.
The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent mishaps, with loose soil and mud sliding down the hills due to persistent rain. The stretch had also witnessed landslides following heavy rainfall last month.
The administration has urged commuters to avoid the affected road and use National Highway 326 as an alternative route until further notice.
Notably, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather alert for Koraput district in view of cyclone ‘Murasu’. Apart from heavy downpour, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds are likely to occur at some places in the district on Monday. Wind speeds may reach 40-50 kmph, with gusts of up to 60 kmph.