Rio announces Rs. 4 lakh ex-gratia for Mon landslide victims; TULI, WOKHA DIST & OTHER AREAS HIT
Correspondents
MON/TULI/WOKHA, JUL 19 (NPN): Heavy rainfall wreaked havoc across parts of Nagaland on Sunday, with landslides and flash floods causing loss of life in Mon district and widespread damage to roads, public infrastructure and residential areas particularly in Mon district, Tuli sub-division under Mokokchung district and Wokha district.
There were also reports of landslides and flash floods from other parts of Nagaland as incessant rain continued to batter the State.
Mon: At least five persons were killed, four remained missing and around 15 injured after a massive landslide triggered by incessant rainfall struck Mon district headquarters early Sunday morning. The disaster also caused extensive damage, destroying several houses and leaving many families homeless.
According to sources, the landslide occurred around 6.30 a.m. triggered by continuous heavy downpour, burying hundreds of houses under tonnes of debris.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mon, Wennyei Konyak, said five bodies had been recovered while four persons remained missing, adding that the death toll could rise. He said relief camps had been set up for affected families, while many displaced residents had taken shelter with relatives. He added that the administration, assisted by local volunteers and Konyak civil society organisations, was making all efforts to manage the situation. The injured were shifted to nearby health facilities.
A coordinated rescue operation was underway involving the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, District Disaster Management Authority, district administration, police, State Disaster Response Force, Assam Rifles, Army, Konyak civil society organisations, volunteers and local residents.
The incessant rainfall also triggered flash floods in Tizit village, Tizit town, Lapa Lampong and surrounding areas, damaging homes, roads and public infrastructure. Separate landslides were also reported from Wakching Chingla and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Wakching, disrupting normal life.
TULI: Incessant rainfall triggered flooding and landslides across Tuli sub-division under Mokokchung district, disrupting road connectivity, damaging public infrastructure and leaving residents anxious as the swollen Milak River continued to rise.
According to residents, the worst-affected areas were Tulikong and Shitikolak (17 Mile), and Mendenti and Tuliyong (18 Mile). Key institutions, including Tuli Police Station at Tulikong and the ground floor of Tuli Town Church, were inundated, while a minor landslide between Tulikong and Tzudikong disrupted vehicular traffic. Government Primary School at Shitikolak Ward and the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Tuliyong Ward also sustained damage.
Power supply and mobile connectivity across Tuli sub-division remained disrupted till late Sunday evening.
Reports said the Tuli-Merangkong road was completely cut off after major landslides occurred at several locations along the highway.
ADC Tuli, Imsenperong, said the sub-division has sufficient stock of essential commodities for the time being. He informed that an SDRF team from Mokokchung was en route to Tuli for rescue operations with assistance from Assam Rifles stationed in Tuli.
Advisory: Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung, Ajit Kumar Verma, issued a public advisory urging residents to remain vigilant.
The advisory cautioned people against venturing into flooded areas, overflowing drains, streams and riverbanks, advised avoiding unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall, and urged the public to stay away from landslide-prone areas and unstable slopes. It also called on citizens to monitor weather updates, follow official advisories, take special care of children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, and refrain from spreading rumours.
Wokha: Incessant rainfall over the past few days triggered multiple landslides across Wokha district, damaging infrastructure and disrupting normal life.
A landslide was reported along the highway at NST Colony in Wokha town, though traffic remained unaffected.
In Akuk village, falling trees damaged power lines on July 18, disrupting electricity supply. Mudslides and rockfalls also temporarily blocked the Doyang-Sanis road, while several minor landslides occurred along the stretch.
A major landslide and land subsidence were reported at Lower Etsuchukha Colony, an area prone to landslides since 2020.
At Lakhuti village, the house of Wosumo Enni was destroyed after a hillside collapsed following continuous rain. Several other landslides were also reported from different parts of Lakhuti and other areas of the district. No casualties have been reported so far.