Imphal |  Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered multiple landslides along National Highway-37 in Manipur, cutting off the crucial Imphal-Silchar route and leaving more than 500 vehicles stranded, raising fresh concerns over the movement of essential supplies into the state.

The highway, which links Imphal with Silchar through Jiribam and serves as one of Manipur’s key lifelines, has remained closed for the second consecutive day after incessant rain caused landslides and mudslides in Noney and Tamenglong districts.

Officials said the most severely affected section is located between Awangkhul Part-I and Awangkhul Part-II, where massive quantities of earth and debris have engulfed the roadway, rendering the stretch completely impassable.

As a result, hundreds of vehicles, including goods-laden trucks, fuel tankers and passenger vehicles, have been stranded on both sides of the affected corridor. Transporters and travellers have been forced to wait as restoration teams battle adverse weather conditions to reopen the route.

Authorities have temporarily suspended security escorts along the highway and advised commuters, transport operators and the general public to avoid travelling on NH-37 until the road is cleared and declared safe for movement.

The closure has added to the growing transportation challenges facing Manipur. The disruption comes at a time when the Imphal-Dimapur highway, another major supply route into the state, continues to be affected by an indefinite blockade, raising fears of potential shortages of essential commodities if connectivity is not restored quickly.

Officials noted that prolonged disruption on NH-37 could affect the transportation of fuel, food items and other critical supplies to the state capital and adjoining districts.

Restoration efforts are currently underway, with teams from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), security agencies and road construction company ABCI carrying out inspections and debris-clearing operations in the affected areas.

Heavy machinery, including excavators and dumper trucks, has been deployed to remove mud, rocks and other debris from the highway. However, officials said continuous rainfall has significantly hampered the pace of restoration work.

Authorities are also monitoring vulnerable hill slopes along the route amid fears of fresh landslides. Safety measures have been put in place to protect workers involved in the clearance operation as well as stranded motorists awaiting the reopening of the highway.

Officials expressed hope that traffic could be restored at the earliest if weather conditions improve, but cautioned that further rainfall may delay efforts and pose additional risks along the landslide-prone stretches.

With both major transport corridors facing disruptions, the situation has once again highlighted Manipur’s vulnerability to monsoon-related disasters and the critical importance of maintaining road connectivity for the movement of people, goods and emergency supplies.