In a devastating event, landslides have again occurred, causing a major road cut off between Changtongya to Longleng. The incident, which took place last midnight due to excessive monsoon rainfall, has resulted in significant disruptions and poses risks to the affected area.

The landslide occurred along a crucial roadway connecting two towns in the hilly region, making it a vital transportation route for locals and the two districts. The cause of the landslide is the heavy rainfall in the area over the past few days that contributed to the destabilization of the hillside.

Local authorities were quick to respond to the incident, and the emergency team from the Nitin Sai Company under NHIDCL have been deployed to assess the situation and begin clearance operations. The team has been working since the last two weeks as this incident is the third landslide that has taken place. However, due to the scale and complexity of the landslide at different locations, it is expected to take some days, if not weeks, to fully restore access to the affected road.

Not only the landslide but there has been a flood on the river bank as the Bridge 7 plus 900 m towards Longleng and 4 plus (Km) Bridge from Changtongya towards Longleng which is 3 km to reach Dikhu bridge has been damaged and flooded by the water from the river. The PRO has also informed that the bridge needs to be restored which he said will take three days and only after that the landslide towards Longleng can be cleared as the bridges serve the road for the team to go and do the necessary.

“The light vehicles can sink into the water and can swim too which makes it difficult to cross the river, ” said the PRO further adding that the team cannot go further without restoring it. He said that it will take only a couple of hours to remove the debris after crossing the bridge.

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An Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies (ARCS) who has been a witness to the incident have informed that he was on his way to Mokokchung last midnight when the landslide occurred and have left him stranded since last midnight at the incident along with two pickup trucks with cattles and some light vehicles.

He also stated that there have been three mudslides along with a rockslide towards Longleng and two mudslides towards Changtongya.

He also informed that the Company has been working diligently in removing the debris ever since it occurred, but he lamented that workers have been working without taking food from last night as their ration is brought from the Longleng only. He also added that the Brooklyn runs on diesel and diesel is brought on a daily basis from Longleng to run it for which he said that the diesel is not in stock, and the landslides have occurred.  On being asked how he will return home, he said that he will walk towards Changtongya and asked his friend to pick his car when the road clears up.

The diesel is brought from Longleng which has only one POC and if it runs out, the company brings it from Tuli but the PRO informed that it is impossible to bring it from Tuli presently since the road is blocked.

As a result of the road closure, residents and businesses in the region are facing significant challenges. Commuters traveling between the two towns are being forced to seek alternative routes, which are often longer and more difficult to navigate. Local businesses are also disturbed.

The company and the authorities are also conducting thorough assessments to ensure the safety and stability of the surrounding hillsides and to prevent further landslides.

Efforts are underway from the Company to coordinate with SDO Civil of Longleng and Changtongya Town and Phom Peoples’ Conference and Phom Students’ Conference to provide assistance and offering support to each other and working together with authorities to mitigate the impact of the landslide and restore normalcy to the affected area.

The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and highlights the importance of preparedness and infrastructure resilience in vulnerable areas. Authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates on the progress of the road restoration efforts.

It has also been learnt that the Nitin Sai Company has expired it’s contract with the NHIDCL last month. But due to some unfinished work from the company, the company is still there in completing the work. But again, the monsoon rain has left the Company in no way but to help restore the landslides and the affected road despite having the works that need to be completed.