Noklak, July 30: Residents of nine villages in Noklak district have appealed to the Government of Nagaland and community leaders for immediate intervention after a major landslide washed away a crucial stretch of the Noklak–Tsuwao–Lengnyu PWD Road, cutting off the only road connectivity to their villages.
The landslide, which occurred on July 19, also washed away the Agri Link Road, severing access to agricultural lands and leaving villagers isolated. With the road destroyed, transportation of essential commodities, including rations, medicines, and other daily necessities, has been severely affected.
In a video circulated online, affected villagers, speaking in the Khiamniungan dialect, appealed to political leaders, community leaders, and the concerned authorities to urgently address the situation. They said that people elect their leaders with the hope of building a better community and urged them to stand with the affected villages during this difficult time.
The villagers also questioned why discussions often focus on improving major roads while their villages continue to remain without basic road connectivity. They asked whether they were expected to live without proper road access for the rest of their lives, highlighting the long-standing neglect faced by the remote villages.
Speaking to Nagaland News Network over the phone, the affected villagers said they have been struggling since the incident on July 19, as both the only road connecting the nine villages and the road leading to their agricultural fields were cut off. They said the disruption has isolated the villages and made it difficult to access essential supplies and services.
With no immediate assistance from the government or any external agency, the villagers took it upon themselves to construct a temporary bridge using locally available materials. The bridge, completed on July 29, has restored limited connectivity but is only suitable for two-wheelers. Four-wheelers, ambulances, school vehicles, and trucks carrying essential supplies are still unable to cross.
The villagers said they have not received any relief or support from the government and have been facing the crisis on their own. They have appealed for immediate restoration of the damaged road, construction of a permanent bridge or road connectivity, and emergency relief measures to ensure safe transportation and restore normal life in the affected villages. They expressed hope that the authorities would respond without further delay to ease the hardships faced by the isolated communities.
