Brahmapur: Vehicular movement on National Highway-16 was briefly disrupted after a large boulder rolled down a hill and landed on the road at Badaghat on the Ganjam-Khordha border following heavy rain triggered by a deep depression, officials said.
The incident led to the temporary blockade of the highway, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the road connecting Brahmapur and Bhubaneswar.
On being alerted, the local administration and fire services personnel reached the spot and took precautionary measures to ensure the safety of commuters. With incessant rain raising the possibility of further rockfall or landslides, authorities kept a close watch on the area.
Personnel of the National Highways Authority later reached the site and used a crane to remove the boulder. Debris was also cleared from the highway, following which traffic movement resumed normally.
Authorities, however, advised motorists travelling through the Badaghat stretch to exercise caution in view of the continuing rain and possible rockfall.
