Landslide in Kalinga Ghat snaps Kandhamal–Ganjam road connectivity

Vehicular movement between Kandhamal and Ganjam districts came to a grinding halt after a massive landslide struck Kalinga Ghat late on Tuesday night. The incident has also snapped the road connectivity between western Odisha and the coastal belt, causing major inconvenience to commuters.

Eyewitnesses said heavy soil, rocks, and boulders tumbled down the hill, blocking the highway and even washing away portions of the road. 

The sudden collapse left vehicles stranded on both sides of the ghat, with long queues of buses, trucks, and private cars stretching for several kilometres. Drivers and passengers were forced to wait through the night, while some returned in search of alternative routes.

Officials said the road, a crucial link connecting Kandhamal, Ganjam, and western Odisha, remains completely cut off. With the key passage blocked, transportation of essential goods has also been affected.

Meanwhile, police personnel have put up barricades at the entry points of the ghat, warning travellers of possible further slides. District authorities confirmed that machinery has been mobilised to clear the debris and restore traffic, but the operation could take time given the scale of the landslide.

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Local residents have urged the Odisha government to strengthen protective measures on the vulnerable ghat section, which has witnessed similar incidents in the past during the monsoon season.