Administration says calamity has affected roads, farmland, forests and houses; NHIDCL says permanent restoration to begin from September
The Longleng district administration has recommended that the district be declared and notified as an L3 disaster-affected area following extensive damage caused by recent natural calamities, with several villages still cut off due to disrupted road connectivity.
(L3: A large-scale disaster where the district and State authorities are overwhelmed and Central Government assistance is required for rescue, relief, recovery and restoration.)
The development came during a joint meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), line departments, civil society organisations (CSOs), NHIDCL and executing agencies at the DPDB Hall, Longleng, on August 4.
Deputy Commissioner and DDMA chairman W Manpai Phom said the situation in the district had gone beyond the usual annual monsoon disruption caused by landslides and road sinking.
“Based on ground assessments, the damage goes far beyond roadways,” the DC said, stating that forests, farmlands, fields and houses had also been affected.
He said a complete assessment of all villages was yet to be carried out because road communication remained disrupted. Several villages continue to remain inaccessible, including three to four villages under the Yongyah EAC circle, while areas under Namsang have also been affected by damage along the Merangkong-Tamlu stretch.
The administration has described the situation as beyond the scope of regular road maintenance and recommended L3 disaster-affected status to the State government.
The DC also presented a ground assessment report of the affected areas during the meeting.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of NHIDCL RP Singh said the agency was working to restore connectivity through temporary measures, including clearing landslides, installing Bailey bridges where required and maintaining at least one lane for emergency and essential movement.
Singh said permanent restoration work could not be taken up in August due to the scale of damage and prevailing weather conditions. According to him, permanent restoration procedures are expected to begin from September, with the aim of upgrading the affected roads to better condition.
The meeting also heard concerns from the Phom People’s Council regarding alleged sub-standard construction, unengineered execution, ecological damage and public hardship along the Longleng-Changtongya and Merangkong-Tamlu stretches of NH-702.
The council called for immediate site inspections, relief and compensation for Alayung village, protection of the Dikhu Bridge abutment wall, emergency reconstruction between Yongmon and Longleng, improved drainage and retaining works, environmental remediation and round-the-clock machinery and maintenance.
Concerns were also raised over repeated handing over of contractual works between firms, which the participants said had affected accountability.
The administration called for strict monitoring of highway maintenance and restoration, stressing that road connectivity is a lifeline for Longleng and adjoining districts.
