Three Killed in Nagaland Landslide; Four Feared Trapped After Heavy Rain

Kohima: Three people were killed in a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Mon town of Nagaland, while four others are feared trapped under the debris. The landslide struck the Defence Colony area in the early hours of Sunday, burying 13 houses completely under mud and debris.

Mon Deputy Commissioner Wennyei Konyak said the bodies of three victims had been recovered and search operations were continuing to locate those believed to be trapped.

Rescue efforts are being carried out jointly by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district police, Assam Rifles and local residents. However, continuous rainfall, unstable slopes prone to further landslides and strong water currents are hampering the operations.

The district administration said several other landslides had also been reported from different parts of Mon town. Severe riverbank erosion has posed a threat to several nearby houses.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed grief over the tragedy and announced immediate financial assistance for the families of those killed, along with relief measures for all affected families. He said rescue operations were being jointly coordinated by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), the district administration, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the SDRF, the police, the Assam Rifles and local residents.

NPP Nagaland President and MLA A Nyamnyei Konyak also condoled the deaths and urged the state government to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the disaster.

In view of the weather department's warning of continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, authorities have advised people to stay away from landslide-prone slopes and riverbanks. Damage assessment and rehabilitation work will begin once conditions become safe.