Rescue teams recover two more bodies in Mon landslide as rain-triggered devastation disrupts connectivity and search operations continue statewide
DIMAPUR — Continuous heavy rainfall across Nagaland has left a trail of destruction, with Mon district emerging as the worst-hit after landslides and flash floods claimed multiple lives, washed away homes and severed road connectivity, even as rescue and restoration efforts continued on Monday.
According to the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), the disaster in Mon district claimed nine lives, including five in Shantham ward, while four people remain missing. It also reported that in Naginimora, four people swept away by flash floods were rescued, with one sustaining a fractured hand and the others suffering minor injuries.
However, sources in Mon district put the death toll at eight, saying six bodies—three men and three women—had been recovered, while a mother and her son remained missing. They said that the exact casualty figure could not be immediately confirmed as surviving children were too traumatised to provide details.
While weather conditions appeared to improve on Monday, overcast skies kept residents on edge amid fears of more rain in the coming days. Electricity has remained disrupted in Mon town since Saturday, while poor mobile connectivity has hampered communication across the district.
Local sources said that 30 to 40 houses were completely washed away in Sunday's landslide and more than 200 households have been affected. Several injured persons continue to receive treatment in hospital, while those with minor injuries have been discharged after first aid.
Road links connecting Mon with Tizit, Wakching and Tobu remain cut off due to landslides. While some roads within Mon town have been cleared, several inter-village roads remain blocked and communication services have yet to be fully restored.
Meanwhile, the DIPR reported that on the second day of search and rescue operations, two more 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 were residents of Thamnan ward. The rescue teams also rescued three injured persons identified as Chawang (10), Nonngam (34) and Yenai (36), all from Thamnan ward.
According to the NSDMA, Tuensang district also reported extensive damage, with 22 houses completely destroyed and 25 partially damaged, affecting 12 villages and about 201 people.
In Longleng, five kutcha houses were completely destroyed and another five partially damaged, affecting nine villages and 102 people. In Kiphire, landslides struck eight villages, affecting 34 people, while preliminary reports indicated damage to seven houses.
It stated that landslides and flooding also affected around 30 villages in Zunheboto, while Shamator reported widespread landslides across six villages affecting about 7,000 people. Mokokchung reported 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 continuing.
The NSDMA added that livestock losses include 11 mithuns, 13 cattle and three pigs in Mon; one dog and one cat in Kiphire; 18 pigs in Shamator; 27 pigs in Wokha; five pigs in Tseminyu; and four mithuns in Noklak.
It stated that search and rescue operations are continuing, while restoration of essential services and detailed damage assessment remain underway.
Residents have been advised to avoid landslide-prone areas, overflowing rivers and vulnerable slopes during continued rainfall and to follow advisories issued by district administrations.