IAF Airlifts Over 100 Stranded Nagaland Residents as Landslides Sever Roads

Kohima: The Indian Air Force has airlifted 149 stranded passengers and delivered 4.65 metric tonnes of relief goods to Namsang in Longleng district. These humanitarian flights began July 23 to bypass roads destroyed by monsoon rains. Two IAF helicopters departed Dimapur Airport at 9:42 am on Monday to resume operations after weather delays. The evacuated group included children, students, patients, and elderly residents.

Roads across Longleng district remain largely impassable. While the Longleng-Tuensang Road is open for light vehicles, the Longleng-Changtongya, Longleng-Tamlu, Longleng-Tobu, Longleng-Aboi, Tamlu-Merangkong, and Tamlu-Namsang routes remain shut. Crews are moving relief goods between Merangkong and Kangching to reach cutoff areas.

Damage is extensive. Eight families in Longleng Town fled their homes due to ground cracks and landslides. Two houses were destroyed and one is unstable. The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority reported that their efforts represent "exceptional professionalism, dedication and commitment despite difficult weather conditions."

Elsewhere, Mon district officials distributed supplies to over 560 families. Government buildings and schools sustained heavy damage, including the Government Middle School in Mon Town and the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Wakching. In Tuensang, authorities have evacuated 49 families since July 19. The ground near the District Transport Office is sinking by up to 8 inches daily.

Mokokchung district maintains a relief camp in Tuli for 19 displaced people. Six State Disaster Response Force personnel are on standby there. PWD and border road agencies are clearing debris, though NH-02 between Mokokchung and Amguri is currently broken. NH-702D via Mariani is now the main supply route for essential commodities.