A section of the Longleng–Changtongya road was washed away following days of heavy rainfall, leaving the carriageway partially collapsed and disrupting connectivity to Longleng district. Residents are seen navigating the damaged stretch on foot amid ongoing restoration efforts.
PSC, PPC laud restoration efforts, seek continued support
DIMAPUR, JULY 31 (MExN): The Phom Students' Conference (PSC) and the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) have expressed deep concern over the widespread devastation caused by continuous heavy rainfall in Longleng district, stating that landslides, floods and mudslides left the district isolated for more than a week and severely disrupted normal life.
In separate press releases, the two organisations said the natural calamities caused extensive road blockages, damaged residential buildings, destroyed agricultural crops, disrupted telecommunication services due to damaged fibre-optic cables, and cut off the district from the rest of the state.
According to the PSC, the prolonged isolation created "immense panic and hardship" among residents, forcing several families to relocate to relatives' homes while others continued to live in damaged and unsafe houses despite the ongoing risks.
The PSC commended the coordinated response of the district administration led by the Deputy Commissioner, along with administrative officers, the Superintendent of Police and police personnel, the 12 IR Battalion, Public Works Department, Nagaland State Transport, Dobashis, and several civil society organisations and volunteers.
It stated that organisations including the Phom People's Council, Phomla Hoichem, Longleng Town Students' Union, Phom Sports Association, All Nagaland Taxi Association, Longleng Chamber of Commerce, church leaders and other stakeholders "worked tirelessly day and night" to restore road connectivity and establish alternative transportation routes for stranded residents.
Meanwhile, the PPC thanked neighbouring communities and organisations, including the Akhoya Village Council, Merangkong Village Council and Langpangkong Tsükong Mungdang (LTM), for helping clear key road blockages leading to Longleng.
Describing their efforts as an example of "good neighbourliness, brotherhood, and selfless support," the council said the assistance helped partially restore vital access routes to the district.
Both organisations also acknowledged the support of the Nagaland Government and the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) in responding to the crisis.
The PSC expressed gratitude to Advisor for Air, Railways and Land Transport A Pongshi Phom and MLA B Bangtick Phom, as well as NSDMA, for facilitating Indian Air Force helicopter services.
According to the PSC, the air sorties enabled more than 300 stranded students to travel from Longleng to Dimapur while also transporting medical emergency cases, essential commodities, relief materials and supplies to affected areas, including Bura Namsang village and Tamlu.
The PPC likewise thanked the Indian Air Force for conducting air operations during the emergency, saying they enabled the evacuation of stranded residents when surface connectivity had been completely severed.
The PPC also acknowledged Jaiswal and Sons for extending assistance during the humanitarian crisis, stating that the support helped sustain affected families and prevented severe shortages of food and other essential supplies while the district remained cut off.
The PSC further acknowledged A Pongshi Phom for sponsoring half of the transportation expenses for more than 100 stranded students travelling by Sumo taxis in addition to the helicopter services. The PPC also credited him with arranging the airlifting of stranded students and critically ill patients and providing travel assistance to students affected by the road blockade.
In addition, the PPC appreciated both A Pongshi Phom and B Bangtick Phom for visiting landslide-affected areas to assess the situation and review the availability of essential commodities.
The PSC said that, through the collective efforts of government agencies, civil society organisations and volunteers, "nearly 40–50% of the damaged road connectivity" has been restored while about 90% of telecommunication services have resumed. However, it noted that heavy vehicles are still unable to access several affected areas.
Appealing for continued public cooperation, both organisations urged the Government of Nagaland, the district administration and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to continue prioritising road clearance, restoration and long-term maintenance until normal connectivity is fully restored.
The PSC also urged all Heads of Departments who are still outside the district to return to their respective places of posting at the earliest to ensure essential public services resume without further delay.
