Landslides block Mizoram's lifeline

Mizoram remained cut off by road from the rest of the country as huge landslides blocked National Highway 54 - the lifeline of the state - since Thursday, an official said on Friday.

"A large number of different types of vehicles, carrying passengers and goods, are stranded on the highway due to massive landslides at Kawnpui township (in western Mizoram)," Public Works Department chief engineer Vanlaltluanga told reporters.

Quoting people who by foot crossed the landslide affected areas, the official said the mud slides were so massive that it looked like as if the entire hill had collapsed.

Vanlaltluanga said all out attempts were taken to clear the landslides on the important highway for vehicular movement.

Mizoram, which borders Myanmar and Bangladesh, is dependent on other states for supplies of essential goods which come by road from Assam.