Phulbani: A massive landslide took place at Kalinga Ghat in Odisha’s Kandhamal district on Tuesday, bringing vehicular movement on the Vijayawada–Ranchi National Highway (NH-167) to a grinding halt.
As per information, the incident took place in the afternoon near Andharkot following incessant rainfall in the region.
The landslide, which damaged nearly 30 meters of the highway, blocked the crucial highway. Huge boulders and mounds of soil from the hills completely blocked the narrow stretch.
Sources said a large number of vehicles, including buses, trucks, and cars, were stuck on both sides of the road, with stranded passengers waiting for authorities to clear the route.
The highway serves as a lifeline for several districts in Odisha, including Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur, Balangir, Bargarh, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, and Malkangiri. The incident disrupted links with states like Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
Locals said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been working on widening this stretch of the highway for months. The ongoing work, couples with incessant rainfall, is believed to have led to the landslide.
Police and fire service personnel swung into action soon after the incident was reported.
While no injury to anyone or damage to property had been reported, officials said clearing operations will take time due to the volume of debris and the risk of further landslides.
The incident has snapped road connectivity between Ganjam district, Kandhamal, and several cities in western Odisha.