Guwahati: A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall struck Guwahati‘s Kharghuli area on Sunday morning, damaging at least six parked two-wheelers and disrupting traffic after the retaining wall of a nearby homestay collapsed and slid downhill with a large volume of debris.
The incident occurred around 10 am. Although no injuries or fatalities were reported, several vehicles were buried under the debris. Personnel from the Disaster Management authorities rushed to the spot and initiated an assessment of the affected area.
Work to remove the debris and restore normal traffic movement is currently in progress. Residents said the landslide damaged six two-wheelers parked along the roadside, including five scooters and one motorcycle.
Locals expressed concern over the seriousness of the incident, saying it could have resulted in fatalities had it occurred on a busy working day.
“Many people park their vehicles here while visiting the nearby market. If the landslide had happened on a weekday, it could have claimed lives,” a resident said.
Several residents alleged that indiscriminate hill cutting and unregulated construction had weakened the slope and contributed to the collapse. They claimed the retaining wall belonged to an ageing building that should have been declared unsafe.
“The authorities must investigate hill cutting taking place for private projects. Structures in vulnerable locations should also be inspected before they become a threat,” another resident said.
The landslide has also affected the livelihoods of families whose vehicles were damaged. According to residents, two of the buried two-wheelers belonged to a couple who run a small food stall and depend on them for their daily work.
Another resident, whose scooter and his elder brother’s vehicle were buried under the debris, said the incident would severely affect their daily routine.
“My elder brother supports the family by running a small tea stall, and the scooter was essential for commuting. We live in the upper part of Kharghuli, and getting to the shop and other places will now be extremely difficult,” he said.
Residents have urged the administration to expedite debris clearance, inspect buildings located on vulnerable hillsides and take action against alleged illegal hill cutting and unauthorised construction in landslide-prone areas. They said such activities have heightened the risk of slope failures during the monsoon.
Officials were continuing to assess the extent of the damage and any potential danger in the area. No official statement had been issued by the authorities at the time of filing this report.