Landslide and Mudslide Disrupt Traffic at Kanjipani Ghati, Keonjhar
Keonjhar: Sunday, August 24, 2025, Kanjipani Ghati, Keonjhar District, Odisha – along National Highway 49Heavy and persistent rainfall in Keonjhar district on Sunday triggered a significant landslide at Kanjipani Ghati—a key stretch of NH-49—resulting in the partial blockage of the highway and large-scale disruption to vehicular movement.
Impact and Conditions
- The mudslide at Kanjipani Ghati blocked one side of NH-49, severely impeding traffic in both directions.
- Judiaghati, another nearby location, was also struck by a landslide; two large boulders tumbled down, but one has since been cleared by NHAI crews.
- Numerous pockets across Keonjhargarh Municipality—including Sponge Colony and Gramasri Colony—experienced waterlogging, which exacerbated mobility issues for residents.
Underlying Causes
Environmental experts attribute the incident to aggressive deforestation and hill cutting associated with road construction in ghats:
“Thousands of trees were felled… leading to the weakening of slopes. When heavy rainfall occurs in the upper catchment areas, the unstable sections of the hills slide down…” — Jaya Krushna Panigrahi, environmentalist.
He emphasized that slopes could remain stable with proper afforestation and stricter controls on hill excavation.
What’s Next?
- Authorities are urged to step up alert systems for landslide-prone zones to warn travelers in advance.
- Afforestation drives and sustainable hill slope management are being called for to counteract long-term risk.
- Immediate restoration work is underway on NH-49, but travel delays and road hazards remain a concern until full clearance is achieved.