Mokokchung begins rehabilitation after Tuli floods as 30 landslides block NH-2 and restoration of essential services accelerates
MOKOKCHUNG — With floodwaters receding in Tuli and dozens of landslides continuing to cripple road connectivity, the Mokokchung district administration on Tuesday shifted its focus from emergency response to rehabilitation, directing all departments to fast-track restoration of roads, power, water supply, telecommunications and other essential services.
Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Ajit Kumar Verma, chaired a district-level coordination meeting with line departments, security agencies, utility providers and other stakeholders to review the flood situation in Tuli subdivision, assess damage caused by landslides across the district and coordinate restoration efforts.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Verma said the administration received information about the severe flooding in Tuli on Sunday morning and immediately activated disaster response mechanisms under the leadership of the ADC and SDO (Civil), Tuli.
"With the support of the public and various departments, people from vulnerable areas were evacuated to safer places," he said, adding that all affected residents are safe.
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According to Verma, most displaced families are currently staying with relatives, while medical camps have also been established for those requiring assistance. He said that relief materials had already been distributed during the emergency phase, while additional assistance, including household utensils and other essential items, would be provided after damage assessment teams complete their survey of affected households.
The DC added that Tuesday's meeting focused on assigning responsibilities to various departments to restore electricity, drinking water, healthcare, road connectivity and communication services at the earliest.
Road connectivity emerged as the administration's biggest concern during the meeting. Executive Engineer of PWD (National Highways), Limatoshi, informed that 30 landslides have so far been reported along the Mokokchung-Tuli stretch of NH-2, up from the 25 reported earlier.
While most of the landslides are minor and located between Yisemyong-Chuchuyimlang and Unger-Merangkong, five major landslides continue to severely disrupt connectivity. Two are located near Merangkong and three between Tzudikong and Tuli.
Manpower and heavy machinery have been deployed, with priority being given to restoring the Tzudikong-Tuli section. However, repairs on the Unger-Chuchuyimlang stretch, where major road subsidence and cracks have developed, are expected to take considerably longer.
With NH-2 still disrupted, the administration identified NH-702D (Mokokchung-Mariani Road) as the district's lifeline for transporting essential commodities. The DC requested PWD (NH) to ensure uninterrupted maintenance of the highway, while dedicated officials and machinery would be stationed at vulnerable locations to keep the road operational.
The deputy commissioner also appealed to transporters and traders not to create panic and urged them to continue using NH-702D while restoration work continues on NH-2.
Representatives of Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) informed the meeting that stocks of essential commodities currently available in the district would last between seven and ten days, provided supplies continue to arrive regularly.
They also raised concerns over transporters seeking higher freight charges because of deteriorating road conditions. However, traders assured the administration that transport charges would not be increased immediately and agreed to continue transporting essential goods through NH-702D.
The District Food and Civil Supplies Office informed the meeting that approximately 22,000 quintals of food grains, sufficient for nearly two months under the Public Distribution System (PDS), are available in the district. Officials added that there would be no shortage of food grains as long as road connectivity is maintained.
Power department reported that supply to Chuchuyimlang-Yisemyong area remains disrupted after landslides damaged the transmission line. Officials said restoration through an under-construction 33 KV line from Impur Junction to Yisemyong could take around 20 days, while construction of an entirely new line may require two to three months.
Public Health Engineering department informed that field surveys are underway to assess damage to water supply infrastructure, while the Health department said emergency preparedness measures had already been activated before the monsoon and adequate medical supplies have been positioned at health centres.
BSNL officials reported that mobile connectivity around Tuli remains disrupted because landslides damaged communication infrastructure. Restoration work will begin once road access is restored. Officials from Jio and Airtel were absent from the meeting, and the DC said separate review meetings would be held with both operators.
Passenger transport operators informed the administration that bus services to Guwahati remain suspended because of unsafe road conditions. Truck operators also requested the administration to station heavy machinery at vulnerable stretches so stranded vehicles can be cleared immediately whenever landslides occur.
Verma acknowledged the support being extended by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), the Chief Minister's Office, security agencies, civil society organisations and volunteers in the ongoing relief efforts. He informed that the Chief Minister's Office has sanctioned an additional 100 quintals of rice for distribution in Tuli as part of the relief operation.