The Kalinga Ghati Road in Kandhamal district has been temporarily closed until September 30 following repeated landslides that have severely damaged the stretch connecting Bhanjanagar and Phulbani.
The decision was taken by the Kandhamal District Collector after a second major landslide occurred on Monday, adding to over five incidents reported in the past 15 days.
A particularly destructive landslide on September 16 saw massive rocks crashing down the hillside, causing significant damage to the National Highway. The road has since become unstable, posing risks to commuters and delaying restoration efforts.
Expert teams from Bhanjanagar and Subarnapur have been deployed to assess the damage and initiate repair work. Officials including Bhanjanagar Tahasildar Abhipsa Pattnaik and Additional Tahasildar Abinash Maharana visited the site to evaluate the situation firsthand.
Heavy rainfall continues to complicate the clearance and stabilization process. Authorities are closely monitoring the area and have advised motorists to use alternative routes until the road is deemed safe for travel.
