A sudden collapse of a 66kV transmission tower in Mokokchung’s Yisemyong area has plunged Mon, Longleng, and the Tuli Sub-Division into darkness, with crews racing against rain, loose soil, and fresh landslides to restore power.
Officials traced the fault to Tsürangmen at the entrance to Yisemyong from Mokokchung Town, away from the highway. They clarified that viral videos claiming a roadblock sparked confusion—the road remains open, but the power corridor is down.
The failed 66kV line originates from Mokokchung and supplies Tuli, running through Changtongya, Yisemyong, Mongsenyimti, Yaongyimti, and Chakpa Village before feeding Longleng and Mon, cutting supply to the entire chain.
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The Department of Power, Nagaland, said the outage began around 5 a.m. on August 8 after massive landslides triggered the collapse. Intensive line patrolling located the fault at about 4 p.m. the same day. In a public appeal, the department asked consumers to bear with the situation as teams assess damage and work to restore supply as quickly as conditions allow.
A 40-member team from the Mokokchung Transmission Division spent Saturday navigating unstable terrain, returning around 9:30 p.m. after several workers sustained injuries while crossing fresh slides and dense jungle.
The Changtongya division and Mokokchung electrical division have joined the operation, supplying manpower and materials that the lead team lacked. Crews plan to resume at 5:00 a.m., keeping early-morning to late-night shifts despite the holiday.
Engineers initially considered erecting a 4-pole SP-65 structure or bypassing the damaged tower if neighboring towers offered safe clearance. The site is being resurveyed to shift the tower to more secure ground to prevent repeat failures.
With loose soil and continuing rain, log poles may be needed to stabilize temporary works. Officials called the terrain a continuing threat to human life but said they will push on until supply returns.
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Executive Engineer Er Hekaito Assumi said restoration could not be completed Saturday night and asked the public to remember the teams in their prayers. “We will try to finish by tomorrow. We are trying our best,” he said, warning that the difficult terrain and landslides are slowing progress. SDO Er Akum, who rushed to the site after the incident, said an action plan is being finalized and teams will mobilize before sunrise to speed up work.
Residents across Mon, Longleng, and Tuli Sub-Division remain in total blackout as authorities take stock of damage and move men and materials through hazardous ground. The department repeated its request for patience from affected areas while crews press ahead with repairs.
