The Indian Air Force (IAF), deployed at the request of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), continued its humanitarian air operations on Monday, airlifting 107 stranded passengers and transporting 4.65 metric tonnes of essential relief supplies to Namsang in Longleng district as rescue and relief efforts entered their fifth day.

Operations resumed after a day’s suspension on July 26 due to inclement weather. Two IAF helicopters took off from Dimapur Airport at 9:42 a.m., ferrying relief materials to the EAC Headquarters at Namsang before evacuating stranded civilians back to Dimapur.

During the first sortie, the helicopters delivered 1.85 metric tonnes and 1.30 metric tonnes of relief supplies respectively, before evacuating 22 and 26 stranded passengers. A second sortie was carried out to transport the remaining relief materials that could not be accommodated earlier due to payload restrictions. One helicopter delivered an additional 1.50 metric tonnes of supplies before evacuating 25 more passengers, while the other transported 17 passengers from Dimapur to Longleng and evacuated 18 stranded persons on its return flight.

Those evacuated included students, patients and other civilians stranded due to widespread disruption of road connectivity, underscoring the government’s continued efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and ensure the safe movement of affected residents.

Longleng remains cut off

According to a press release issued by NSDMA, road connectivity in Longleng district continues to remain severely disrupted by landslides. As of July 27, the Longleng-Tuensang road has been partially reopened for single-lane light vehicles, subject to weather conditions. However, the Longleng-Changtongya, Longleng-Tamlu, Longleng-Tobu, Longleng-Aboi, Tamlu-Merangkong and Tamlu-Namsang roads remain closed.

With road access still blocked, relief supplies flown into Namsang are currently being offloaded between Merangkong and Kangching for onward transportation. Authorities said movement of the remaining supplies will resume once damaged road stretches are restored.

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Within Longleng town, five families from Shamkang Ward have been evacuated following land subsidence and the appearance of ground cracks. In High School Ward, three more families were shifted after major landslides. Assessments revealed that two houses were completely washed away, while another has developed severe structural cracks and has been declared unsafe.

Several landslides have also been reported across different wards of Longleng Town, and debris clearance operations are being prioritized at major blockage sites before machinery is deployed to other affected locations.

Relief operations continue in Mon

In Mon district, relief efforts remain in full swing. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has distributed essential commodities to 360 landslide-affected families across nine of the town’s eleven wards. More than 200 flood- and landslide-hit families in Naginimora have also received relief materials, including rice, dal, salt and other essentials. A medical camp was organised in Naginimora on July 26 to provide healthcare services to affected residents.

Road restoration by the PWD, NHIDCL and BRO is underway. As of 4 p.m. on July 27, the Mon-Tizit road had been partially reopened for single-lane light vehicle movement, while the Mon-Naginimora, Wakching-Tamlu and Mon-Aboi-Tobu roads remain closed.

Heavy rains and landslides have also damaged key public infrastructure. Government Middle School, Mon Town, has been severely affected, prompting a proposal to temporarily shift classes to the Nursing Hostel. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Wakching has also suffered extensive damage. Meanwhile, the bridge linking Tobu and Longleng has sustained major damage, disrupting connectivity.

Tuensang battles continuing land subsidence

In Tuensang district, the administration and DDMA continue to respond to an ongoing land subsidence emergency. Since July 19, 49 families have been evacuated from vulnerable areas, including 44 households below the District Transport Office (DTO) and five additional families from Post Office Ward and Bazar A Ward.

Two unsafe buildings have already been dismantled, while demolition of the DTO building is underway as a precautionary measure. Land subsidence near the DTO continues at an alarming rate of 6 to 8 inches per day, with fresh cracks appearing regularly.

To keep the crucial NH-202 operational, the PWD (NH) is carrying out daily crack-filling and maintenance works. The DDMA has also provided Emergency Relief Fund assistance to 48 affected families, distributed tarpaulins in affected localities in Noksen, Phingjan and Post Office Ward.

Temporary mitigation measures, including covering major landslide and subsidence zones and affected road stretches with tarpaulins, are continuing in the worst-affected parts of Tuensang Town. Relief camp operations also remain functional at Tuensang Town Hall for evacuated families.

Restoration efforts intensify in Mokokchung

Relief and restoration operations are also continuing across flood- and landslide-affected areas of Mokokchung district. The DDMA has been supplying relief materials to stranded families in Changtongya since July 19.

A relief camp at Tuli Town Hall is currently sheltering 19 displaced persons from nine families, while the district’s Emergency Control Room, Emergency Hospital and Relief Distribution Committee continue to coordinate relief distribution, healthcare and camp management.

The administration has deployed water tankers to supply safe drinking water at the relief camp, restored telecom connectivity, activated a Mobile Medical Unit and conducted door-to-door health screening and disease surveillance. Six SDRF personnel remain stationed at Tuli to strengthen emergency preparedness.

Road connectivity, however, remains a major challenge. The NH-02 between Mokokchung and Amguri via Tuli has suffered extensive damage from multiple landslides, forcing traffic to use NH-702D via Mariani as the primary route for transporting essential commodities.

Restoration work is ongoing on the Changtongya-Longleng, Merangkong-Tamlu and other damaged roads, while efforts continue to restore electricity, water supply and access to villages in Chuchuyimlang and Longchem circles.

The DDMA has also provided Emergency Relief Fund assistance to affected families and distributed protective plastic sheets in landslide-affected areas.

The NSDMA said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in coordination with district administrations, DDMAs, the Indian Air Force and all responding agencies to ensure timely rescue, relief, restoration and rehabilitation across the affected districts.

It also expressed its appreciation to the Indian Air Force, district administrations, DDMAs, line departments, emergency responders, volunteers and all agencies involved for their dedicated efforts in safeguarding lives and assisting communities affected by the ongoing monsoon disaster.