Dimapur Floods: Nine rescued, low-lying areas inundated

Dimapur, August 8 (MExN): Nine persons, including two children and an elderly person, were rescued by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on Saturday after heavy rainfall since early morning caused severe waterlogging and localised flooding in several parts of Dimapur district, officials said.

The downpour, which began around 1:00 am, generated an exceptionally high volume of surface runoff from upstream and hill catchment areas, overwhelming the district’s drainage network, including major drains, nallahs and natural water channels, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) said in a situation report.

While recent drainage clearance works had improved flow in several channels, the heavy inflow and rising water levels in interconnected systems such as Hospital Nallah, Sugarmill Nallah and Lengri Nallah placed considerable pressure on downstream areas, leading to temporary inundation of low-lying localities, DDMA said.

Among the rescued were four hostellers from a hostel in River Belt Colony and five persons stranded in the Holy Cross School area, all of whom were evacuated to secure locations, the authority said.

A field assessment conducted on Saturday by the SDO (Civil), DPA-in-Charge Dimapur, along with officials from the DC office, Dobashis and DDMA field investigators, identified multiple flood-vulnerable colonies for close monitoring. These include River Belt Colony, Holy Cross School area, SM Colony, Vilhume Colony, K Sachu Colony, Zeliangrong Colony, Purana Bazar B, Kuda Village Road near the Fishery Department Gate, NST Colony, Industrial Estate Colony, Public Ground Colony, Nepali Basti near Holy Cross, Niu Colony, Veterinary Colony, Rainbow Colony in Burma Camp, Namgalong Colony, Ragialing Colony, Nesitauo Colony and Medical Colony, among others.

Residents in some affected areas reported that water levels rose rapidly and inundation occurred within approximately two to three hours, restricting movement and access, the DDMA said. The exact number of affected households and population could not be ascertained immediately, and a detailed assessment will be undertaken once conditions improve, it added.

The district administration, DDMA and SDRF remained on alert and coordinated with local Colony Councils and community members. Colony council members in vulnerable areas have been advised to immediately alert authorities if evacuation, relief camps or other emergency measures become necessary.

The DDMA has advised the public, particularly residents of low-lying areas, to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary movement through waterlogged zones, exercise extreme caution around electrical poles, wires, transformers and other installations, and avoid contact with electrical equipment in or near flooded areas to prevent electrocution. Any emergency or suspected electrical hazard should be reported immediately to the administration, DDMA, or the concerned colony council, it said.

Further updates will be issued as necessary, the DDMA added.