A massive landslide struck the Jorabat area on the outskirts of Guwahati in the early hours of Friday, damaging a petrol pump and two vehicles, including a bus, near the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM).
The incident occurred around 3 am near the 10th Mile locality when a section of a hillside behind the fuel station suddenly collapsed. The landslide sent a large volume of soil and debris crashing down, partially burying the petrol pump premises and causing damage to parked vehicles.
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported in the incident.
The landslide triggered panic among residents of the area, with debris reportedly continuing to slide down the hillside even after the initial collapse, raising concerns about further instability.
Local residents have alleged that extensive hill-cutting and earth excavation activities for ongoing construction projects may have weakened the slope and contributed to the disaster. They also expressed concern over the safety of the petrol pump and nearby residential areas.
Authorities are yet to provide a detailed assessment of the damage, while concerns remain over the possibility of further landslides if preventive measures are not taken.
