Nagaland rain havoc leaves 9 dead, Mon worst-hit

Kohima: Heavy rainfall has caused widespread damage across Nagaland, with Mon district the hardest hit after landslides and flash floods killed at least nine people, damaged homes and cut off road links. Search and rescue operations, along with efforts to restore essential services, continued on Monday.

The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) said five of the deaths were reported from Shantham ward in Mon district, while four people remain missing.

As per the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), on the second day of search and rescue operations, two bodies were recovered from the landslide site at Defence Colony in Thamnan ward.

The deceased were identified as Taotun (52) of Oting village and Lunglei (13) of Pongkong village, both residents of Thamnan ward. Rescue teams also pulled out three injured persons who were shifted for medical treatment.

Across the state, the NSDMA reported widespread damage to houses, infrastructure and agricultural land.

In Tuensang district, 22 houses were completely destroyed and 25 partially damaged, affecting 12 villages and around 201 people.

Longleng reported five kutcha houses completely destroyed and another five partially damaged, affecting nine villages and 102 people.

In Kiphire, landslides affected eight villages and 34 people, with preliminary reports indicating damage to seven houses.

Around 30 villages were affected by landslides and flooding in Zunheboto, while Shamator reported widespread landslides across six villages affecting about 7,000 people.

Mokokchung witnessed heavy rain and landslides in 18 villages, affecting 84 people. Landslides, mudslides and flash floods were also reported from five villages in Noklak, three villages in Wokha and two villages in Meluri, where damage assessment is still underway.

The authority said search and rescue operations are continuing across affected districts, while restoration of essential services and detailed damage assessments remain underway.

Residents have been advised to avoid landslide-prone areas, overflowing rivers and vulnerable slopes during the ongoing spell of rain and to follow advisories issued by district administrations.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday visited Mon district to assess the flood and landslide situation on the ground. He met community leaders and officials leading relief operations, reviewed the ongoing response and restoration work, and conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas in Tizit and Tuli. Rio said the state government remains committed to providing relief and ensuring the early restoration of infrastructure and essential services in the affected areas.

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