The landslide has completely collapsed the cliff. Although the outer surface of the landslide appears stable, the flow of soil from within has not stopped.
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Traffic movement has been disrupted for about two weeks after the Rajduwali-Ilam road section of Ilam Municipality-9 along the Mechi Highway was blocked by a landslide.
The floods and landslides that occurred after the heavy rains of Asoj 18-20 caused extensive damage to life and property in Ilam. The landslide that occurred that night has blocked about 800 meters of the Rajduwali-Ilam road to this day. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising, who came on an on-site visit last Saturday, had directed to immediately open the blocked road. However, the road could not be operated.
According to the Road Division Ilam, employees have been deployed day and night to open the road. However, due to geographical challenges, opening the road has become more difficult, said Engineer Arjun Ghimire. “We are working day and night,” said Ghimire, “but there is no situation to operate the road before Tihar.”
The landslide has completely submerged the cliff. Although the outer surface of the landslide appears stable, the process of falling soil from within has not stopped. “The geography here is unique,” he added, “It looks normal to look at, but the landslide is happening inside. Even with normal rainfall, there is a risk of landslides.'
According to locals, the road closure has affected the transportation of goods towards Ilam. Emergency services are also forced to use alternative routes. Although the road division has mobilized heavy equipment and technical teams, experts suggest that sustainable slope stabilization and drainage improvement are necessary for a permanent solution.
This geologically weak section has only about 40 meters of soil and the lack of rocks has increased the problem of water easily penetrating the surface and falling off the cliff, said geotechnical expert Dr. Madhusudan Acharya. According to him, new water sources have emerged in seven to eight places from the bottom to the top, the management of which has begun.
According to Acharya, although the landslide cannot be completely stopped, a long-term solution is possible by arranging the drainage of underground water. Currently, the department is preparing to remove water through pipes, stabilize the slope of the cliff, and operate the road after laying gravel. However, it is not expected that the road will be opened before Tihar.
Even though a contract for landslide control was signed last year for about Rs 200 million, the landslide occurred before the work could be started. Acharya said that preparations are still being made to repair it according to the design.
Alternative road
An alternative route to the blocked Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway, which is considered the 'lifeline' of Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung, has been put into operation.
As the blockage on the Rajduwali road is not likely to be cleared immediately, an alternative route from Simalgolai in Ilam Municipality-10, Godak via Jogmai Khola in Maibeni to Tilkeni near Ilam Bazaar has been opened since Thursday. Vehicles have started plying after a diversion was made on this route at Jogmai Khola.
