Landslides on India-Arakan trade route strand hundreds of cargo trucks

By Admin 11 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

11 July 2026, Kyauktaw

Landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains and mountain torrents along the India-Arakan trade route have left hundreds of cargo trucks stranded, according to local merchants.

The landslides occurred on 7 July near Lunglei District in India's Mizoram State, stranding about 300 cargo trucks carrying essential goods to Arakan State.

"Because so many people are stranded there, they are relying on packed meals provided by nearby villages. Drivers say a large number of trucks are trapped," a woman familiar with the situation said.

Road clearance operations are underway, but it remains unclear when the route will reopen. Merchants said they expect to know on 12 July whether travel can resume.

As the road closure enters its fourth day, traders are increasingly concerned that perishable goods inside the stranded trucks will spoil.

"During the monsoon season, both land and water transport become very dangerous. It is even worse during the early monsoon because we face both landslides and strong river currents," a merchant from Arakan State said.

In addition to the blockage in Mizoram, transport along the domestic India-Arakan trade route linking Chin State and Kyauktaw Township in Arakan State has also been disrupted by heavy rains and rising river currents.

Arakan State relies heavily on land and sea trade routes from India for food, medicines and other essential goods.

Previously, commodities from mainland Myanmar entered Arakan State through the Saw trade route in Magway Region. However, the route has been closed due to blockades imposed by the military junta.

With severe flooding already affecting the region, the disruption to the Indian trade route has raised concerns over possible shortages of food and other commodities in Arakan State.