Heavy rains trigger widespread flooding, landslides in Nagaland

Morung Express News
Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Wokha | July 5

Incessant rainfall over the past few days has triggered landslides and flooding across several districts of Nagaland, disrupting normal life and causing extensive damage to property, crops, and infrastructure, officials said on Saturday.

In Kohima, the retaining wall of the Soil and Water Conservation Department collapsed on Friday, followed by another collapse at the Police Headquarters compound on Saturday. At least four vehicles were damaged in the incidents, they said.

Heavy downpour throughout the day led to widespread waterlogging in multiple areas of Kohima town, severely affecting normal life and traffic movement, a PTI report stated. 
In Dimapur, flooding in low-lying areas resulted in major traffic snarls, particularly along Nagarjan Road. The worst-hit localities include United Colony (Nagarjan), Sachu Colony, Zeliangrongram Colony, and Burma Camp, where floodwaters remained stagnant for hours.

In neighbouring Niuland district, the administration reported severe flooding following incessant rainfall during the intervening night of July 4 and 5. Rising river levels inundated large areas, submerging homes and damaging paddy fields, fish ponds, plantations, and roads.

Over 70 villages have been affected, displacing thousands of farmers and severely impacting livelihoods, the district administration said.

The road connecting S. Hetoyi and Ghokuto villages has become impassable following a major landslide, which also washed away a portion of the road, cutting off Ghokuto village from essential services including medical aid, food, and water.

Rescue and restoration efforts are underway, but persistent rain continues to hamper access and relief operations, it added.

In Chümoukedima district, several villages reported severe flooding. Naga United village reported extensive water logging, while in Singrijan village, most paddy fields were submerged. Freshly planted paddy saplings have been washed away, severely impacting the ongoing crop cycle.

“This is the worst flood we’ve seen in the past decade,” a farmer from Singrijan remarked. “There have been floods during the monsoon in earlier years, but never anything like this. The entire field is under water and the new paddy plants are gone.”

In Naga United village, most of the khels (colonies) and internal roads submerged following continuous heavy rainfall on July 4 & 5. Floodwaters entered residential areas, disrupting daily life and damaging household property.

Wokha district also reported flash floods in Chanka village, where farmlands have been submerged, posing a serious threat to the livelihoods of local farmers.

Local sources said around 20 farmers have been directly affected as floodwaters swept through jhum fields, destroying standing crops and damaging agricultural infrastructure.

Submerged fields and washed-away crops, including staples like paddy and cash crops such as maize, ginger, chilli, pumpkin, and ash gourd, were reported.

Persistent high water levels have prevented farmers from accessing their fields, while several temporary shelters and field huts have also been damaged or destroyed.

Villagers have appealed to the district administration and concerned departments to conduct a thorough damage assessment and provide immediate relief. They expressed hope that timely intervention would help mitigate losses and enable them to resume agricultural activities once conditions improve.

Monsoon advisory issued for Dimapur

With the onset of the monsoon season and the likelihood of flash floods and rising water levels in rivers and streams due to heavy rainfall, the Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Dimapur, has issued an advisory urging the public to avoid riverside areas for fishing, picnics or any other water-related activities.
All villages located along riverbanks and the respective village councils have been requested to strictly prohibit such activities until the end of the monsoon season.
The DDMA has called for strict compliance from all concerned.
In case of emergencies, the public may contact the State Emergency Operation Centre at 1070 (toll-free) or 0370-2291120/22. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) can be reached at 9366819486 or 7005806182. The DDMA Dimapur helpline number is 8415085131.