KOHIMA: Torrential rainfall caused devastating landslides and widespread destruction in Nagaland’s Mon district on Sunday (July 19). According to media reports, at least five people have lost their lives, and four others are still missing. The number of dead is claimed to be more. The disaster struck several locations across Mon town, flattening houses, injuring residents, and cutting off key road links to the district headquarters. Rescue operations are underway to trace the missing people and provide relief to affected families. However, due to the blockages of roads and collapsed bridges, their efforts have been slowed.
Nagaland Landslide Tragedy: What Happened in Mon District?
The landslides struck different parts of Mon town between 6 am and 2 pm following hours of heavy rainfall. According to district officials, five people, including a 16-year-old, lost their lives in the disaster, while four others are still missing. Rescue teams are continuing search operations in the affected areas. The incident also left around 12 people injured, including a 10-year-old child. Many of the injured are receiving treatment, while rescue workers continue to search through the debris for those who remain unaccounted for. The landslides caused extensive damage to property, with at least 45 houses completely destroyed. Several families were forced to leave their homes after the buildings either collapsed or became unsafe due to the unstable ground.
How Are Rescue Teams Responding to the Disaster?
A large-scale rescue operation is currently underway with the help of multiple agencies. Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Assam Rifles, local police, district administration, and local volunteers are jointly carrying out rescue and relief work. To support displaced families, an emergency relief camp has been established at the Konyak Union office. The camp is providing temporary shelter, food, drinking water, and other essential supplies to those affected by the disaster.
Why Is the Rescue Operation Facing Difficulties?
Rescue and relief efforts have become more challenging because Mon town has been completely cut off from the rest of the state. Officials said roads connecting Mon through Tizit and Naginimora have been blocked due to flooding, while the route through Mokokchung is no longer accessible after the collapse of a connecting bridge. The damaged transport network has also made it difficult to deliver essential supplies quickly to affected communities. Authorities are working to restore connectivity while continuing rescue operations under difficult weather conditions.
Nagaland Landslide Tragedy: What Relief Measures Has the Government Announced?
According to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, an ex gratia sum of Rs 4 lakh would be given to families whose members died due to landslides, while those hurt would get a total amount of Rs 74,000 as financial assistance. All those families that were affected would be taken care of by providing them food and essential commodities and also giving temporary shelters for a while till things go back to normal, said the state government.
The officials added that they are keeping close watch on the weather conditions since there was heavy downpour in many places across Nagaland. Other than Mon district, the incident had also wreaked havoc in the Tuli sub-division of the Mokokchung district and surrounding areas, too, damaging the public infrastructure and private properties alike. Residents are being advised to stay away from such vulnerable hillslope, riverbank or other high-risk places till weather conditions improve.
