Heavy rains inundate Dimapur, expose drainage woes

A brief yet intense spell of rain early Sunday morning left large swathes of Dimapur inundate, affecting hundreds of families and bringing to light the city’s longstanding drainage crisis.
In just a few hours, floodwaters entered homes, disrupted daily life, and forced residents in low-lying areas to scramble to protect belongings from rising water.
Among the worst-hit areas were Dhobinala, Sachu Colony, Burma Camp, Marwaripatti, West Yard etc.– areas vulnerable to flooding due to their low elevation and lack of efficient drainage systems.
“We have been facing water-logging issues for over a decade now. Every monsoon, it’s the same ordeal. Nothing ever changes,” said a resident of Sachu Colony.
One of the most pressing issues contributing to the crisis is the rampant and unchecked dumping of garbage in and around drains and public spaces.
Plastic waste, construction debris, and unsegregated refuse choke vital water pathways, turning them into breeding grounds for health hazards and making them incapable of carrying runoff water during rains.
Sunday’s rainfall, once again underscored Dimapur’s crumbling civic infrastructure, particularly its outdated or entirely absent drainage systems.
Many residents took to social media, uploading visuals of submerged roads and homes.
In some localities, personnel from the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) were seen responding by cleaning clogged drains and removing debris. However, residents say these actions are reactive and temporary.
In response, a DMC official, who visited affected areas on Sunday afternoon, said the civic body was aware of the problems and working on emergency measures. However, he admitted that the city’s drainage layout is outdated and that without coordinated efforts, including from other departments and public cooperation, permanent solutions would remain elusive.