Widespread damages reported, more showers likely
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 15
Nagaland witnessed an intense spell of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8:30 AM on September 14, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Meteorological Centre Kohima, reporting a 413% departure from normal levels.
Amid widespread damages, rainfall information data available on the IMD’s website informed that against a daily normal of 6.5 mm, the State recorded 33.4 mm of rain during the period.
While the data for the rest of the day was yet to be available at the time of filing this report, district-wise monitoring data from Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) of the IMD Meteorological Centre, Kohima on Sunday.
As per the data, AWS Jalukie in Peren district recorded an unprecedented 121.0 mm of rainfall on September 14, while the nearby ARG Medziphema in Chümoukedima recorded 105.0 mm. Adjoining Dimapur received 59.0 mm of rain.
In Mokokchung, AWS Ongpangkong recorded 65.3 mm, while the town received 55.8 mm. Tseminyu recorded 43.5 mm, and Wokha had 40.8 mm. The State capital, Kohima, received 36.8 mm, while Tuensang (Thonoknyu) recorded 36.5 mm.
Overall, the rainfall distribution in the State was 86% on September 14, the IMD Kohima Centre data informed.
The heavy downpour triggered landslides, flash floods, and riverbank erosion. In Chümoukedima, a fresh breach occurred along the Chathe River near the Tsiedukhru (Pagla Pahar) stretch of NH-29, marking the third such incident in two years. In Dimapur, waterlogging disrupted traffic in low-lying areas, while in Peren, swollen streams damaged approach roads and local transport links.
Cumulatively, rainfall in Nagaland between September 1–14 stood at 108.4 mm, only a marginal 3% above the normal (105.2 mm), but the September 14 spike underscored the risks of high-intensity, short-duration rainfall events.
The IMD’s evening update on September 14 forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places in Nagaland on September 15 and 16, along with thunderstorms and lightning. Further spells are likely between September 18–20, raising concerns of more landslides and riverbank damage.
