Heavy rainfall triggers multiple landslides in Longleng

Morung Express News
Kohima | July 30

Following the heavy rainfall on July 19, a major landslide occurred along the Longleng-Changtongya National Highway 702 that serves as a lifeline of Longleng district. Almost a stretch of kilometre along the highway has been covered in debris collection at the road surface measuring about 6-7 feet in height. 

Highlighting about the situation, Deputy Commissioner of Longleng, W. Manpai Phom NCS remarked that given the severity of the damage by major mudslides, landslides and wash outs leaving some area sinking and covered in nearly a kilometre of debris, the complete restoration work may be beyond the scope of regular maintenance and may take a very long time. 

However, he said that the district administration along with DMA Longleng, PWD R&B Longleng Division, and local civil society groups are working together round the clock to restore it temporarily. A team comprising Deputy Commissioner of Longleng, W Manpai Phom NCS along with Executive Engineer R&B, Phom Peoples' Council, LEMSACHENLOK Team, and Yaongyimchen Village Council also visited the site and other damaged areas along the National Highway on July 29. 

The Deputy Commissioner urged the citizens not to panic but to give full cooperation and support as they work tirelessly to temporarily restore the road condition at some locations. In the meantime, he also requested the authority, the existing agency to coordinate with district administration for long term restoration as the district residents are already experiencing challenging circumstances of mobility and essential supplies.

He further acknowledged everyone who continues to stand with them during this devastating crisis that the district is going through and particularly thanked the state government, the Chief Secretary, Home Commissioner and Commissioner, Nagaland, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) for being very sensitive to the woeful sorrows of the people of Longleng at these terrible times as well as MLAs, A. Pongshi Phom and B. Bangtick Phom for being with the people and visiting the affected sites.

Further making mention of the Indian airforce for deploying their chopper for shifting the students and sick people, and for dropping the essential commodities at most affected areas, he also thanked the civil societies and village councils for standing with the administration during this tragic period and urged everyone to work concertedly towards restoring the highway.