Dimapur, Nagaland – Recent incessant monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Nagaland, causing extensive flood damage to homes, roads, bridges, and agricultural lands. The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) has released a comprehensive report detailing the destruction, with low-lying districts experiencing severe flooding and overflowing rivers.
Dimapur and Chumoukedima districts bore the brunt of the flooding. In Dimapur, numerous colonies, including SM Colony, Ragailong Colony, Namgalong Colony, and Super Market, reported significant water inundation. The DDMA Dimapur has set up relief camps for displaced residents, and the Home Guards, Civil Defence & State Disaster Response Force (HGCD&SDRF) have been actively involved in search and rescue operations.
Similarly, Chumoukedima district saw flooding in villages such as Tenyiphe, Chekiye, and Singrijan, with extensive damage to infrastructure. Niuland district also reported widespread flooding incidents in villages like Kuhuboto, New Showuba, and Nizhevi.
Beyond the low-lying areas, other districts have also reported severe infrastructure damage:
* Kohima: A retaining wall collapsed below the Civil Secretariat, damaging two vehicles and blocking access to several offices. Town areas also experienced flooding.
* Mon & Longleng: Road connectivity between Mon and Longleng was severed by a landslide at Yongam Village on July 4, 2025.
* Wokha: A flash flood in Chanka village reportedly destroyed paddy fields.
* Mokokchung: Landslides at Changki village damaged the main road and water pipeline, with another incident reported from Longkong village.
* Tuensang: NH-202 was completely cut off at Chare town. The DDMA Tuensang assisted in transporting stranded passengers. The road between Chare and Mokokchung was also affected by multiple landslides, and a bailey bridge was on the verge of collapse due to strong river currents.
Following severe flash floods in Dimapur, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Dimapur and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a full-scale rescue operation on July 6. By the morning of July 7, 2025, 844 individuals were safely rescued from submerged areas.
The continuous downpour caused major drains to overflow, leading to severe waterlogging in colonies like Vihume, Netaji, Kuda Village, Purana Bazaar B, Walford (Central), Namgalong, and Kalibari (ward-17). In response, DDMA held an emergency meeting on July 7 to visit relief camps, provide immediate aid, and prepare a comprehensive report for the government, seeking a permanent solution to the flooding.
Three relief camps have been established at BSNL quarters in Walford, S.M. Colony, and Namgalong Colony. SDRF deployed one rescue boat and 25 personnel, including trained divers, focusing on the worst-affected areas such as Mount View Colony, Purana Bazaar ‘B’, and Kuda Village. The rescued individuals included children, the elderly, sick, special needs individuals, and infants.
Tragically, three lives were lost due to electrocution—two in Kuda Village and one in Police Colony. Despite challenges posed by submerged roads, rescue operations were completed, and authorities assure continuous monitoring and support until the situation normalizes.
The recent monsoon-induced chaos across Nagaland, as detailed by the NSDMA reports, paints a stark picture of a state vulnerable to the whims of nature. Beyond the immediate destruction of homes, roads, and agricultural lands, the widespread flooding and landslides expose critical weaknesses in infrastructure and highlight the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies. While the swift actions of the DDMA Dimapur and SDRF in rescuing hundreds of individuals are commendable, the tragic loss of three lives due to electrocution serves as a grim reminder of the compounding dangers posed by such events.
The repetitive nature of these monsoon-related calamities, year after year, demands a shift from reactive rescue operations to proactive, long-term solutions. This includes not only robust early warning systems but also investments in resilient infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather patterns. Embankment strengthening, improved drainage systems in urban centers, and landslide-resistant road construction are no longer optional but essential. Furthermore, public awareness campaigns on disaster safety, particularly regarding the dangers of electrocution during floods, are vital. As NSDMA Assesses Monsoon Damage Across Nagaland, Nagaland grapples with the immediate aftermath and begins the arduous task of recovery, it’s clear that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to disaster management is imperative to safeguard lives and livelihoods against the increasing intensity of monsoon mayhem.