Massive rockfall blocks Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang highway in Arunachal Pradesh, India

A massive landslide struck the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) highway near Sapper Camp in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, India, on August 25, 2025, damaging vehicles and blocking traffic.

The landslide sent huge boulders and debris crashing onto the highway, burying around 120 m of the road surface. Two vehicles were damaged, but all occupants managed to escape without injury.

The affected stretch of road lies between Dirang and Tawang, a critical route for civilian and defense movement in Arunachal Pradesh. The Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project Vartak immediately deployed clearance teams, restoring traffic by 15:00 local time (LT) on August 26.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rainfall is expected to continue across the region until August 28, increasing the risk of further landslides and transport disruptions.

Local residents have expressed concerns over repeated slope failures along the BCT highway during the monsoon season, citing insufficient protective infrastructure and the absence of an effective early warning system.

Authorities are urging all motorists to remain cautious when traveling through the region in the coming days.

Featured image: Massive rockfall blocks Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang highway in Arunachal Pradesh – August 2025. Credit: Mirror Now (stillshot from the video)

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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