Torrential rain-triggered landslides at three locations along NH-37 have halted traffic between Imphal and Jiribam, disrupting the movement of essential supplies.
Imphal, June 25: National Highway-37, one of Manipur's two vital road links to the rest of the country, has been completely cut off after torrential monsoon rain triggered multiple landslides at three locations between Noney and Tamenglong districts, disrupting the movement of goods and passenger vehicles and threatening the supply of essential commodities into the state.
Police said a major landslide and landslip occurred at Shantikhunou, near a CRPF camp between Sibilong and Kaimai village under Kaimai Police Station in Tamenglong district. Two other major road blockages were reported at Oinamlong Zero Point and Nungdolan, leaving the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of NH-37 impassable.
Officials involved in road restoration said it could take another two to three days to construct a temporary diversion before vehicular movement can resume. Continuous rainfall in the area has complicated clearance operations, with fresh debris and unstable slopes posing risks to workers and travellers.
The disruption has brought traffic on the strategic highway to a standstill. The scheduled security convoy escorting loaded trucks from the Jiribam side was cancelled on Wednesday as authorities deemed the route unsafe following the landslides.
On the other side of the highway, dozens of empty trucks travelling from Imphal towards Jiribam have been stranded at various locations while waiting for the road to reopen. Reports from transporters indicate that several passenger vehicles have also been forced to halt along the route as there is currently no alternative passage through the affected stretches. According to local reports, more than 200 vehicles have been stranded because of the highway closure.
NH-37, stretching from Imphal through Noney and Jiribam before connecting to Assam's Cachar district, is widely regarded as one of Manipur's lifeline highways. Along with NH-2 via Nagaland, it serves as the principal corridor for transporting petroleum products, LPG cylinders, food grains, medicines, construction materials and other essential commodities into the state.
Any prolonged closure of the highway has immediate implications for the state's economy and daily life. Transporters say delays in the movement of fuel tankers, consumer goods and commercial cargo can disrupt supply chains, while traders remain concerned over possible shortages if restoration work extends beyond the estimated timeframe.
The latest landslides come amid persistent heavy rainfall across Manipur over the past several days. The hill districts of Noney, Tamenglong and adjoining areas are particularly vulnerable during the monsoon because of their steep terrain, fragile soil and numerous road-cutting sections that frequently witness landslides and rockfalls.
The Imphal-Jiribam highway has repeatedly faced similar disruptions during recent monsoon seasons. In February 2024, heavy rain triggered landslides near Nungdalal, leaving around 100 loaded trucks stranded until debris was cleared. Earlier incidents in 2022 and 2025 also severed connectivity along the same corridor for several days, highlighting the recurring vulnerability of the highway to extreme weather.
Road restoration teams equipped with heavy machinery have begun clearing debris from the affected locations. However, officials cautioned that fresh rainfall could trigger additional landslides and delay restoration efforts.
Authorities have advised transporters and commuters not to attempt travelling on the affected stretch until the road is declared safe. Security agencies are expected to review the condition of the highway before resuming escorted convoys carrying essential commodities.
With NH-37 remaining closed and hundreds of vehicles awaiting clearance, attention is now focused on how quickly restoration agencies can reopen one of Manipur's most critical transport lifelines before supply disruptions begin to affect markets across the state.
